TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The cathode active material comprises a material capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions selected from lithiated transition metal phosphates and lithium ion intercalating transition metal oxides. The anode active material comprises a lithium ion intercalating material selected from lithium ion intercalating carbonaceous material, lithium ion intercalating oxides of titanium, and lithium ion uptaking silicon.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The aprotic organic solvent is selected from partly halogenated cyclic and noncyclic organic carbonates, partly halogenated di-1-10C alkylethers, partly halogenated di-1-4C alkyl-2-6C alkylene ethers and polyethers, partly halogenated cyclic ethers, partly halogenated cyclic and acyclic acetals and ketals, partly halogenated orthocarboxylic acids esters, partly halogenated cyclic and noncyclic esters of carboxylic acids, partly halogenated cyclic and noncyclic sulfones, partly halogenated cyclic and noncyclic nitriles and dinitriles, and partly halogenated ionic liquids. The conducting salt is selected from lithium containing compound of formula (Li(F(6-x)P(CyF((2y+1)x))), (Li(B(Rx))4), (Li(B(Rx))2(ORyO)) and/or (Li(B(ORyO))2)), lithium perchlorate, lithium hexafluoroarsenate, lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate, lithium hexafluorosilicate, lithium hexafluroantimonate, lithium tetrachloroaluminate, lithium tetrafluoro(oxalato)phosphate, lithium oxalate, and lithium containing compound of formula (Li(Z(CnF(2n+1)SO2)m)). The additive is selected from vinylene carbonate and its derivatives, vinyl ethylene carbonate and its derivatives, methyl ethylene carbonate and its derivatives, lithium (bisoxalato) borate, lithium difluoro (oxalato) borate, lithium tetrafluoro (oxalato) phosphate, lithium oxalate, 2-vinyl pyridine, 4-vinyl pyridine, cyclic exo-methylene carbonate, sultone, organic esters of inorganic acids, acyclic and cyclic alkanes having a boiling point at 1 bar of 36 degrees C, and aromatic compounds, optionally halogenated cyclic and acyclic sulfonylimides, optionally halogenated cyclic and acyclic phosphate esters, optionally halogenated cyclic and acyclic phosphines, optionally halogenated cyclic and acyclic phosphites, optionally halogenated cyclic and acyclic phosphazenes, optionally halogenated cyclic and acyclic silylamines, optionally halogenated cyclic and acyclic halogenated esters, optionally halogenated cyclic and acyclic amides, optionally halogenated cyclic and acyclic anhydrides, ionic liquids, and optionally halogenated organic heterocycles. The dicarbonitrile compound (I) is 5,6-dioxo-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-pyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitrile.x = 0-6;y = 1-20;Rx = 1-4C alkyl, 2-4C alkenyl, and 2-4C alkynyl (all optionally substituted with ORz), F, Cl, Br or I;Rz = 1-6C alkyl, 2-6C alkenyl or 2-6C alkynyl;(ORyO) = bivalent group derived from 1,2- or 1 ,3-diol, 1,2- or 1 ,3-dicarboxlic acid, 1,2- or 1 ,3-hydroxycarboxylic acid, where the bivalent group forms 5- or 6-membered cycle via the both oxygen atoms with the central B-atom;m = 1, when Z is selected from oxygen and sulfur;m= 2, when Z is selected from nitrogen and phosphorus;m = 3, when Z is selected from carbon and silicon; andn = 1-20. EXAMPLE - None given.