NOVELTY - A lithium cell (10) for use in a battery pack, comprises a housing (12) containing two spaced apart electrodes (14, 16), each containing active component; two current collectors (18, 20) in electrical communication with two electrodes; a separator (22) between two electrodes; and an additive of at least one of the first and second electrodes for maintaining a potential of the lithium cell at 0.5-1.5V and for preventing the potential from dropping below 0.5V.    USE - As a lithium cell for use in a battery pack; as lithium-ion cell; and as a rechargeable battery useful in consumer electronics.    ADVANTAGE - The additive having a potential of at least 0.5 or at least 1 V, reductive decomposition of the electrolyte composition during overcharging of the cell is highly suppressed. Thus, a wide-range of choices of electrolyte compositions are possible. Specifically, destabilizing reactions within the cell are generally prevented during overcharging of the cell, and battery packs or systems implementing the cell can be used without problem, even if overcharging of the cell occurs. The cell has improved safety in overcharging and over-discharging relative to conventional lithium cells. The cells are especially effective as high-output cells, and can be used in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or an electric vehicle (EV). The cells can also be used at low temperatures, and can be produced with improved energy density, increased productivity and cost reduction. The first and second current collectors are aluminum foil thus reducing manufacturing cost and weight of the cell.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A lithium cell (10) for use in a battery pack, comprises a housing (12); a first electrode (14) disposed in the housing and containing a first active component; a second electrode (16) disposed in the housing spaced from the first electrode and having an opposite charge from the first electrode and containing a second active component different from the first active component; a first current collector (18) disposed in the housing and in electrical communication with the first electrode; a second current collector (20) disposed in the housing spaced from the first current collector and in electrical communication with the second electrode; a separator (22) disposed in the housing between the first and second electrodes; and an additive of at least one of the first and second electrodes for maintaining a potential of the lithium cell at 0.5-1.5V and for preventing the potential from dropping below 0.5V. The lithium cell further comprises an electrolyte composition. The first and second electrodes further comprises a binder and a conducting aid.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a cross-sectional view of the lithium cell.    Lithium cell (10)    Housing (12)    First electrode (14)    Second electrode (16)    First current collector (18)    Second current collector (20)    Separator. (22)