Because batteries are a point of tension in the adoption of some electricity-centric techs. Electricity production can be done in many different ways already (unless you suddenly decide to 100x the demand for shit and giggles), but a lot of applications requires batteries, which makes them some sort of choke point for adoption. Making them better, more accessible, cheaper, more friendly on the environment ease that.

The comparison is also on one end of the world focusing on the dying down side of things, while the other end is (allegedly) looking forward.

That’s why they’re compared.