Reuters: General Electric Co is stepping up its investment in developing new battery technologies for autos as it looks to increase its role in electrifying cars — one of the key strategies to boost autos’ fuel efficiency. The US conglomerate has raised its investment in A123 Systems Inc, a developer of batteries for hybrid cars and other electric devices, to $55 million, and is working with US automaker Chrysler to secure government funding to develop a system to electrify larger passenger …