So then what do you say the reason for our highly inferior battery technology is?

How about because no one has been able to improve upon it yet? Just because there isn't an improvement doesn't mean somene is holding it down. It is highly probable that there just isn't any improvements because no one has found any. Remember batteries are still just acid and metal, and the perfect combination has pretty much been found. Acid-based batteries have hit the limit of their design

Also, industry need for longer-lasting batteries far outweighs any conspiracy to sell short-lived batteries. He who improves the battery shall make a fortune. We need longer-lasting batteries in virtually every electronic device these days. Also, why would the electric companies care? Longer-lasting batteries would still use the same amount of charge; the only thing changing is the recharging interval.