An energy storage apparatus is described and claimed herein comprising, generally, a battery housing enclosing a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and an electrolyte, wherein the electrolyte comprises a salt dissolved in either an amide-based solvent. In various embodiments, the amide-based solvent is a tertiary amide. Moreover, the energy storage apparatus may be a lithium ion battery that comprises an electrolyte with a lithium salt dissolved in a tertiary amide.