After a brief introduction to the present situation of electric vehicle (EV) in China, it has been pointed out that the neck for developing EV is battery. The most important role played by Li-ion batteries in the development of EV has been evaluated. It has been pointed out that the key fact at the moment is to develop materials which can meet the requirements of Li-ion battery for EV. Some progresses obtained in the author’s laboratory in this field have been reviewed.