With the worldwide demand for electrochemical energy storage continuing to rise, rechargeable magnesium-based batteries have received considerable attention, because of their low cost, high volumetric capacity, and dendrite-free nature. However, limited cathode options and parasitic side reactions hinder the development of magnesium-based batteries. To overcome these issues, a self-designed hybrid magnesium-lithium ion batteries using ultrathin vanadium dioxide nanosheets as the cathode, magnesium as the anode, molybdenum as the current collector and an all-phenyl complex with lithium chloride as the electrolyte was assembled in this work. The battery delivers outstanding electrochemical performance with a high reversible capacity of 275 mAh g(-1), standout rate performance of 145 mAh g(-1) at a current density of 4 A g(-1), long cycle life and high energy density of 484 Wh kg(-1). This superior electrochemical performance demonstrates the great potential of ultrathin vanadium dioxide nanosheets for application in hybrid magnesium-lithium ion batteries. (C) 2019 The Electrochemical Society.