LiV3O8 cathode has been synthesized by two simple low temperature methods without involving the melting of V2O5 and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), discharge–charge measurements in lithium cells and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). While the first method involves the heating of the components in H2 at 500°C followed by in N2 at 600°C, the second method involves the dispersion of the components in methanol followed by evaporating the solvent and heating at 500°C in N2 atmosphere. The samples exhibit a high capacity of around 230mAhg−1 at 0.5mAcm−2 and 25°C in a narrow voltage range of 2–3.5V with excellent cyclability at −30 to 60°C. Additionally, the samples exhibit superior safety characteristics compared to the currently used LiCoO2 cathode as indicated by the absence of exothermic peaks (DSC) up to 450°C in the charged state.