A primary lithium cell having an anode comprising lithium and a cathode comprising electrochemically active material selected from copper vanadates having the formula CuV2O6 or Cu2V2O7 or mixtures thereof. The cathode can include a manganese dioxide in admixture with said copper vanadates. The cell exhibits higher capacity and energy output than conventional lithium cells having an anode comprising lithium and cathode comprising manganese dioxide.