a) an anode of a carbonaceous material capable of intercalating lithium; b) a cathode comprising lithium cobalt oxide; and c) a nonaqueous electrolyte activating the anode and the cathode, the nonaqueous electrolyte comprising a phosphonate additive, wherein the phosphonate additive has the formula: (R1O)P(???O) (OR2) (R3), wherein R3 is a hydrogen atom and R1 and R2 are selected from the group co