From an environmental and ESOI standpoint lead-acid batteries (2) are not as attractive as Li-Ion (10). We should be thinking beyond the short-term cash equation.

And anyway, EV batteries should have another life, long after ‘death':- “ABB and GM: Reusing EV batteries for energy storage works!”
http://www.smartgridnews.com/artman/publish/Technologies_Storage/ABB-and-GM-Reusing-EV-batteries-for-energy-storage-works-5293.html#.UXJCMHCUC74

The auto industry’s love affair with the ICE is more about emotion and commercial inertia. Electric motors are FAR more efficient – smaller – lighter, etc. Range extension is the way to go.

“On 26 October 2010, a Li-poly powered Audi A2 covered the record distance of 600 km without recharging.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_polymer_battery

The car was said to still have 18% of its charge remaining on arrival in Berlin and the average speed was reported as being 90 km/h (56 mph). The “kolibri” batteries used in the design are so compact that the vehicle retains its four seats and boot space. A production version would be possible. “The technology could be implemented today. It is up to industry to use this potential,” commented Mirko Hannemann, the head of DBM.

NB: The retro-fit batteries didn’t compromise internal space at all.

Arguably, the 15-year-old A2 design is technically better than the new Audi A1, but it wasn’t a good seller – bummer! I bought a second-hand 1.4TDI that gives me 60mpg. I figure the most eco-friendly (definitely the cheapest) option is for me to get my low-mileage use out of it for another 30 years. I wonder if I’d be able to fill up with non-fossil fuel in that time?

It’s a glorious day, so I’m signing off to head up the mountain on my titanium bike.

For example, vanadium based flow batteries are currently very expensive and hard to purchase. There is nothing inherently expensive in those batteries, simply the volume of production has been extremely low.

Now, if the German market soaks up these systems, the prices will go down significantly in the coming years.

We’d be happy to chat with you about our Znyth technology if you are interested. Email me at bbarclay@eosenergystorage.com — or connect with us on Twitter.

Best,
Ben Barclay
Business Development
Eos Energy Storage

There must be millions of commuters who leave their cars parked up all day, so incentivise BEVs and the provision of charging points to be used during the hours of solar output.

Why encourage additional storage installation? The PV pioneers only need to have one battery pack surely.

The German auto industry is a bit slow on the uptake, in getting EVs to market. Are they still married to the old ICE?

Subsidy Calculations
The subsidy rate as calculated as 30% of the maximum eligible costs of 2000 EUR (for combined solar/storage installations) or 2200 EUR (for retrofitted storage installations) per kWp of the solar plant. For retrofitted storage systems, the Federal Environment Ministry will fund systems commissioned at least six months before January 1, 2013.
The amount of the grant will be calculated as follows:
I
Determination of the Energy Storage System Cost:
The cost of the energy storage system is calculated as the difference between the cost of the total system investment and the cost of the PV system.
II
Subsidy Rate Calculation:
The rate is determined by the quotient of the cost of the ES system and nominal power of the photovoltaic System (kWp) multiplied by 0.3 (efficiency quotient). The result is the subsidy per peak kilowatt of PV System, with a maximum of 600 EUR for new combined solar and storage installations and 660 EUR for storage retrofitting.
III
The total funding is obtained finally, by multiplying the Nominal power of the photovoltaic System (kWp) with the calculated subsidy rate (EUR per kWp)

Example Calculations
Example A:
Combined installation of a 5kWp PV system and a 3.3kWh Li-ion Battery system
I
Total cost of installation: 19,500 EUR
Cost of the PV system: 1700 EUR/kWp x 5kWp = 8500 EUR
Cost of the Storage System = 19500 EUR – 8500 EUR = 11000 EUR
II
Funding rate for memory per kWp:
11,000 EUR/5kWp x 0.3 = 660 EUR per kWp
This type of system installation, a combined solar and energy storage installation, would qualify for a maximum subsidy rate of 600 EUR per kWp, so the subsidy rate used here would be only 600 EUR per kWp.
III
Plant size: 5 kWp, Subsidy rate 600 EUR per kWp
5kWp x 600 EUR/kWp = 3,000 EUR energy storage system subsidy

Example B:
Retrofitting a 4kWp photovoltaic system with a 3.3kWh lead battery system
I
Cost of storage system: 6,000 EUR; Plant size: 4kWp
(6000 EUR/4kWp) x 0.3 = 450 EUR/kWp
This storage system would qualify for a subsidy rate of up to 660 EUR per kWp, so in this case the subsidy is not being fully exploited.
II
4kWp system size; Funding per kWp: 450 EUR
4kWp x 450 EUR = 1,800 EUR energy storage system subsidy

Note that the size of the battery system (kW or kWh) plays no part in the calculation of its subsidy.

Source: http://www.solarwirtschaft.de/fileadmin/media/pdf/Speicherprogramm_Hintergrundpapier.pdf