TiO2–B nanowires (20–40nm diameter) may be prepared in high yield by a simple synthetic procedure. Lithium may be intercalated up to Li0.91TiO2–B corresponding to a capacity of 305mAhg−1 and at a potential of 1.6V versus Li+ (1M)/Li. This can be compared with 160mAhg−1 for Li4Ti5O12 and 165mAhg−1 for TiO2-anatase. Following a small irreversible capacity on the first cycle, capacity retention is excellent corresponding to a fade of <0.1% per cycle at a rate of 50mAg−1. A capacity of 160mAhg−1 is sustained at a rate of 500mAg−1 in electrodes that were not optimised for rate capability. Results to date indicate that the small irreversible loss of capacity on the first cycle is not associated with a SEI layer.