Polymer Li-ion batteries have received little attention mainly because of the unproved, but long-held belief, that safe Li polymer-batteries can be developed. Herein we review the development of the first practical plastic rechargeable Li-ion battery. Bellcore’s new plastic Li-ion cell compares well with its liquid Li-ion counterparts in terms of volumetric energy density, cycle life, power rate, while offering several significant advantages, particularly in terms of shape and packaging flexibility and improved scaleability.