Near Zero Volt Storage Tolerant Electrochemical Cells Through Reversible Ion Management

An electrochemical cell having a positive electrode; a negative electrode and an electrolyte, wherein the electrochemical cell contains reversible ions in an amount sufficient to maintain a negative electrode potential verses reference level below a negative electrode damage threshold potential of the cell and a positive electrode potential verses reference level above a positive electrode damage threshold potential of the cell under an applied load at a near zero cell voltage state, such that the cell is capable of recharge from the near zero cell voltage state, and method for its production is disclosed.