Using a novel electrodeposition/thermal process, V6O13+y, 0 < y < 2, bronzes were directly fabricated into a coin cell without the use of binders or electronic conductors. Transport properties of lithium insertion and removal from V2O5 and nonstoichiometric (ns) V6O13+y bronzes, were examined by electrochemical methods in asymmetrical Li/LixV6O13+y cells. Diffusion coefficients in the range 0.2-5.0 x 10(-8) cm(2) s(-1) were found for insertion and removal steps in the range, x = 0-1.0. The transport of lithium ions from the vanadium oxides is similar to the insertion process. These bronze cathodes have similar transport properties to composite cathodes, making them potentially useful for electrochromic displays and microbatteries. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.