The rapidly growing markets of electric vehicles (EVs) and grid integration of renewable energy sources have triggered demand for batteries with unprecedentedly low cost, high specific energy, and good safety. Organic electrode materials (OEMs) feature sufficiently high energy, Earth-abundant elements, and unique electrolyte-dictated properties. In this talk we start with the charge storage mechanism of modern OEMs with an emphasis on comparison with those of intercalation inorganic compounds and previous-generation OEMs (conducting polymers). The storage mechanism determines the reaction reversibility, redox potential, and specific capacity of modern OEMs. We then perform a head-to-head comparison of selected OEMs and classes of inorganic materials intensively studied to target high-energy EV batteries. An analysis of the synthesis of state-of-the-art OEMs from possible biomass and petrochemicals follows to assess the short-/long-term resource availability. Finally, we present recent examples where the structural versatility and suitable redox potentials allow OEMs to be custom-designed for aqueous and all-solid-state batteries and achieve unprecedented cycling stability and high specific energy.