Li3VO4 nanoparticles with mean size about 100 nm are uniformly deposited on the surface of natural graphite via a quasi sol gel method. The electrochemical performance of the Li3VO4/natural graphite composite as anode for lithium ion batteries is studied via galvanostatic battery testing, which shows excellent cycle stability and rate capability. At a specific current of 156 mAg(-1), it delivers discharge and charge capacity of 579 and 427 mAh g(-1) in the initial cycle, which maintain of 469 and 468 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles. After 60 cycles at various specific currents from 234 to 11,719 mAg(-1), the discharge capacity can restore to 450 mAhg(-1) when reverting the discharge/charge current to 234 mA g-1. It is demonstrated that natural graphite has important effect on the electrochemcial performance of the composite electrode, and an appropriate amount of natural graphite is beneficial to reduce the charge transfer resistance and maintain stable charge transfer process in cycling. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.