Abstract: A lithium cell which includes an outer conductive housing, a cathode having one major surface in contact with the conductive housing, an insulative separator adjacent to the other major surface of the cathode, and a lithium anode having a major surface adjacent to the insulative separator. The lithium anode is comprised of two lithium plates, each having a major surface in contact with the other. One of these major surfaces is formed with a stepped portion to thereby form a gap between the lithium plates. A conductive sensing element is positioned within the gap and is in electrical contact with one of the lithium plates and is electrically isolated from the other lithium plates. With this arrangement an electrical potential which exists between the conductive sensor and the outer conductive housing falls to zero volts when the lithium plate in contact with the conductive sensor has become consumed to thereby provide an indication of predetermined level of discharge of the cell.