The introduction of the Valence P1A system chemistry has generated the ability to significantly reduce lithium ion system material costs, while maintaining comparable electrical performance, and at no reduction to system safety over other lithium ion systems. The P1A system centers around a new phosphate-based cathode material paired with a graphite anode material. The phosphate cathode material exhibits fundamentally superior thermal stability over those for other cathode materials. The material's fundamental chemistry and method of manufacturing lead to a reduced cathode material cost while providing electrical performance similar to that for Valence's lithium manganese oxide (LMO) products. Since less environmentally sensitive metals are used in the PIA chemistry, the resulting battery system is more environmentally benign. These features combine with Valence's large format (>100 mm/spl times/200 mm, 35 Wh+) lithium ion polymer manufacturing capabilities, enable lithium ion phosphate to address a significantly greater variety of applications.