The electrochemical performance of negative electrodes (anodes) made from mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) in lithium-ion cells has been studied systematically via a variety of electrochemical techniques. The MCMB anodes have a stable lithium intercalation capacity of 325mAhg−1 on high-rate charge–discharge cycling. Cyclic voltammetry shows only one reduction peak and one oxidation peak, which correspond to lithium-ion intercalation and de-intercalation, respectively. The diffusion of lithium ions in MCMB electrodes is characterized by ac impedance measurements.