The present invention achieves an increased capacity and prolonged life of nonaqueous electrolyte batteries of the type in which light metals, such as magnesium, calcium or aluminum, are used in the negative electrode. The present invention also provides a thermally stable nonaqueous electrolytic solution for use with such batteries. The nonaqueous electrolyte battery in accordance with the present invention includes a positive electrode; a negative electrode containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, calcium and magnesium; and a nonaqueous electrolytic solution composed of a mixed solvent of an organic solvent and an alkyl sulfone having a structure represented by R₁R₂SO₂, where R₁ and R₂ are each independently an alkyl group, and at least one type of salt selected from the group consisting of aluminum salt, calcium salt and magnesium salt. The organic solvent is capable of dissolving the alkyl sulfone along with at least one type of salt selected from the group consisting of aluminum salt, calcium salt and magnesium salt.