I've been using rechargeable lithium batteries on eBikes for as long as there's been modern eBikes. They give excellent range and can last between 1 to 5 years, it just depends on usage and the quality of the batteries. These batteries are actually made from many small lithium batteries that are connected together and put into plastic or metal housings.
They do suffer a voltage drop when they run down, or over the course of a year or more. This could be a potential problem w/ cameras. People often make their own big batteries by buying the small cells and putting them together to get the type of battery they want. The trouble is, one never knows how long a battery has been sitting in a warehouse before being put on a store shelf, so buying high quality batteries usually address this.
As for the environment, it's not really a good story. Lithium mining does a real number on the earth, and their disposal is a huge issue. They may not be any "cleaner" than any other type of battery in terms of the environment, and they do occasionally catch on fire, which is very difficult to put out. Shipping them has a ton of restrictions. Getting en eBike battery to Hawaii is almost impossible (the new eBikes w/ batteries installed come on huge container ships), but for some reason no one seems worried about hundreds of passengers w/ cell phones and laptops on a plane!
The Surefire Rechargeable Battery CR123A 3.2 Volt Lithium Pack of 2 is the perfect solution for customers who prefer to use rechargeable 123A cells when...