Custom elements-based approach?

[shumstra]

The native is attribute can be used with custom elements to produce the same effect.

If we register <div> (or <e> as a fellow contributor suggested) as a custom element, we might be able to reduce size and improve performance of this library substantially. Consider how much time we could save millions of users around the world. (Not to mention the energy savings from improving performance – climate change is no joke!!!!)

Yours truly