Abstract: A rechargeable cell with an alkali or alkaline earth metal electrode with a coulombic capacity about the same as a metal halide electrode such as CuCl2, CuBr2, and the like, or a metal oxide positive electrode such as LiCoO2, MnO2 and the like or a carbonaceous positive electrode and a sulfur dioxide electrolyte solvent containing a salt that produces a halogen and/or a Lewis acid on overcharge is disclosed. On most discharges, the active metal of the negative electrode is anodically dissolved and any dendrites are anodically dissolved or electrically isolated and scavenged. About every 4 to 50 cycles, the cell is overdischarged in reversal to reduce the state of charge of the positive electrode relative to the negative electrode and compensate for undercharging of the negative electrode during recycling.