Shares of A123 Systems jumped 54 cents, or 52 percent, to close at $1.58 after the embattled electronic-car battery maker said it has developed new lithium ion technology capable of operating in extreme heat or cold.

Heat is one of the biggest hurdles in developing cars that do not use fossil fuels.

A123 says its Nanophosphate EXT technology is designed to significantly reduce or eliminate the need for costly heating or cooling systems.

The Waltham company said it expects to begin producing battery cells that include the technology in the first half of 2013.

The news comes just less than two weeks after A123 warned that it may not be able to stay in business unless it’s able to secure financing.