Abstract A low cost graphite was examined as a negative electrode for rechargeable lithium batteries. The use of an electrolyte solution consisting of LiPF6 (1 mol dm−3) in ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) at a volume ratio of 2:1 resulted in a capacity loss of 35% on the first cycle. When small quantities of dimethyl pyrocarbonate (DMPC) were added to the binary electrolyte system, the capacity loss on the first cycle was only 18% and thereafter a practical capacity value of 357 mA h g−1 was sustained for more than 50 cycles, representing more than 2000 h of cycling.