A thermal battery can include: an anode of lithium alloy; a metal-fluoride cathode having Ni; and an electrolyte composition in contact with the anode and cathode. A thermal battery can also include: an anode of lithium alloy; a metal-fluoride cathode having an oxide selected from V2O5 or LiVO3; and an electrolyte composition in contact with the anode and cathode. In one aspect, a metal of the metal fluoride cathode includes Ni, Fe, V, Cr, Mn, Co, or mixture thereof. In one aspect, the metal-fluoride cathode includes NiF2, FeF3, VF3, CrF3, MnF3, CoF3, or a mixture thereof. A method of providing electricity can include: providing an electronic device having a thermal battery with a metal-fluoride cathode having Ni and/or having an oxide selected from V2O5 or LiVO3; and discharging the thermal battery to provide electricity.