An electrochromic material having improved durability and more pleasing color characteristics is composed of a single-phase compound of formula W.sub.1-xTa.sub.xO.sub.3-x/2, x having a value in a range of from about 0.15 to about 0.5. Thin films of the electrochromic material can be manufactured by pulse laser deposition (PLD). Thin films of the electrochromic material are useful in the fabrication of electrochromic devices, such as "smart" windows, mirrors, information displays and variable emittance surfaces.