Used electric vehicle (EV) batteries could soon be on the market at a significantly reduced cost that competes with brand new energy storage systems, according to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) report.

So-called ‘second life’ batteries taken from Nissan’s Leaf electric vehicle (EV) will be deployed in commercial-scale energy storage systems in regions including the US, following a deal involving Green Charge Networks.

A new scheme to provide grid-balancing services directly from the batteries of electric vehicles (EVs) will be trialled by car maker BMW, in partnership with California utility company Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).