A new technology that allows lithium ion batteries to operate at extreme temperatures has been announced by A123 Systems, Inc.  This would potentially eliminate the need to heat and cool batteries, thereby lowering the cost of electric vehicles.  It also would allow A123's Nano phosphate EXT rechargeable batteries to work in a wider range of temperatures and expand opportunities in transportation, telecommunications, and grid storage applications.  The company will begin production of the new battery in 2013.  Meanwhile, the company is hiring 400 employees over the next 4 months for its Livonia and Romulus factories.   This is in response to increased business in commercial transportation and grid products for its prismatic-based cells.