When audience takes stage: Pseudo-localized-high-concentration electrolyte with lithium nitrate as the only salt enables lithium metal batteries with excellent temperature and cathode adaptability

•A new concept for pseudo-localized-high-concentration electrolytes (PLHCE) is developed.•Mechanism of solvation structure with various electrolytes and SEI layer formation is revealed.•Performance boost is exhibited in Li||Cu, Li||Li, Li||LFP and Li||NCM cells.•Performance is improved with high temperature lithium metal battery.•Correlation among solvation structure, SEI formation, and performance is studied.