A class of inorganic oxychloride compounds have been evaluated for use as electrolytic solvents in rechargeable lithium batteries. Compared with SO2-based electrolytes, these showed much improved safety while maintaining room temperature conductivities of 10(-3) similar to 10(-2) S/cm and electrochemical voltage windows of 4.5 similar to 5.5 V vs. Li+/Li and supporting reversible lithium metal deposition/stripping. With the addition of 2 similar to 5% polymer, the solutions acquire rubbery character with little loss of conductivity and no change in electrochemical stability. Preliminary charge/discharge tests with intercalation-type cathode as well as sulfur-based cathode showed that these inorganic electrolytes can operate with excellent reversibility.