Clearly, the results presented and discussed above were obtained using strongly simplified model systems in an idealized environment, leading to questions about the relevance of such model studies for the understanding of SEI formation in a realistic battery environment. For this purpose, we will first compare the present results with observations reported for a realistic, electrochemical environment. Generally, it is expected that the SEI formation starts in the first potential cycle once the anode potential falls below the electrolyte reduction potential. This is, however, a purely electrochemical picture based on electron transfer, which does not consider chemical interactions between electrode and solvent / electrolyte. Thus, depending on the chemical reactivity of the electrode surface, decomposition of the solvent by chemical reactions may start also much earlier, and possibly even spontaneously. While such kind of chemical interactions with the surface seem to be unlikely in the present case of a graphite electrode, they can become important for more reactive electrode materials. Model studies like the present one therefore provide access to these chemical interactions and their impact on SEI formation.