NOVELTY - Electrolyte comprises at least one cyclic carbonate and/or at least one acyclic carbonate and at least one ether.    USE - The electrolyte is useful for a lithium cell or a lithium battery (all claimed) that is useful in consumer sector such as mobile phones, MP3-players and power tools, and in an automotive sector such as electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles.    ADVANTAGE - The electrolyte has high conductivity and reduced viscosity.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) an electrolyte solvent or an electrolyte additive for a lithium cell, comprising an ether compound having a structure of formula (R11R12R13C-(CR14R15)x1-(O-(CR31R32)a-(CR33R34)b)c-O-(CR24R25)x2-CR21R22R23) (I); and    (2) the lithium cell or a lithium battery comprising the electrolyte and/or the electrolyte solvent and/or the electrolyte additive.    R11, R41 = carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, hydroxyl, thiol, halo, branched or cyclic alkyl, substituted or cyclic alkenyl, branched or cyclic alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy or heteroaryloxy;    R12, R13 = H, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy or heteroaryloxy;    CR11R12R13 = branched alkyl, cyclic alkyl, substituted or cyclic alkenyl, aryl or heteroaryl;    R21-R23 = H, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy or heteroaryloxy;    CR21R22R23 = branched or cyclic alkyl, substituted or cyclic alkenyl, aryl or heteroaryl;    R14, R15, R31-R34, R24, R25 = H, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy or heteroaryloxy, where the radicals of R31, R33, R12, R14, R22 and/or R24 are alkyl, and the radicals of R32, R34, R13, R15, R23 and/or R25 are hydrogen or alkyl;    c = 1-10;    a = 1-5;    b = 0-5; and    x1, x2 = 0-5.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure shows a schematic view of a lithium ion cell during charging.    Cathode (2)    Electrolyte (3)    Lithium-ion (4)    Current conductor (5, 6)    Porous separator. (7)