I've worked on quoting and building assembly automation systems for hybrid batteries in the Leaf, Volt, and new Fiat 500 coming out. I don't think I've met a customer manufacturing engineer yet that would buy one. Add the government incentives to the manufactures to build lines for volumes that don't exist, government incentives to the consumer, and then a premium cost still on top of that.......... How does this make sense?
Lithium Ion, car batteries or camera batteries, I have a pretty good idea what they cost, and I can tell you your not going to change your new generation all electric battery for under 5 figures.
And then we can talk about solar panels............
Automotive is doing it for the fleet mileage and government incentives and power companies for green quota requirements.......... all paid by the tax payer.
I should not complain because my company has profited greatly by the "stimulus"; but, the payback for investment can not stand on it's own.