A tin–carbon composite synthesized by high energy mechanical milling (HEMM) technique is characterized here as an anode material for lithium ion battery. The composite morphology and structure are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively, and its electrochemical behavior is characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic cycling in lithium cell. The electrode evidences highly nanostructured morphology and enhanced lithium–tin alloying–de-alloying process stability as the mechanical milling time is increased, with capacity ranging from 500 to 400mAhg−1. Further important characteristic of the tin–carbon nanostructure reported here is the very high rate capability, extending up to 2Ag−1, that finally allows to its application in a high voltage, high rate lithium ion cell using the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 spinel cathode. The cell shows a working voltage of 4.3V and a capacity of 120mAhg−1 obtained at 1C rate. The very promising features of the cell, its high energy and power density, and the low cost of the involved materials, suggest that the electrode reported here can be efficiently used as an anode in advanced configuration lithium ion battery.