A rechargeable lithium cell comprising a cathode, an anode, a non-flammable quasi-solid electrolyte containing a lithium salt dissolved in a mixture of a liquid solvent and a liquid additive having a salt concentration from 1.5 M to 5.0 M so that said electrolyte exhibits a vapor pressure less than 0.01 kPa, a vapor pressure less than 60% of the vapor pressure of the liquid solvent alone, a flash point at least 20 degrees Celsius higher than the flash point of the liquid solvent alone, a flash point higher than 150° C., or no flash point, wherein the liquid additive is selected from Hydrofluoro ether (HFE), Trifluoro propylene carbonate (FPC), Methyl nonafluorobutyl ether (MFE), Fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), Tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphite (TTSPi), Triallyl phosphate (TAP), Ethylene sulfate (DTD), 1,3-propane sultone (PS), Propene sultone (PES), Diethyl carbonate (DEC), Alkylsiloxane (Si—O), Alkylsilane (Si—C), liquid oligomeric silaxane (—Si—O—Si—), Tetraethylene glycol dimethylether (TEGDME), or a combination thereof.