Surface phase with ion or electron conductor is essential for the improved rate capability of mostly electronically insulating LiFePO4 materials with only one-dimensional Li+ transport. Here, a surface conductive phase, created through Zr4+ doping in Li-excess LiFePO4, forms synergy with carbon coating layer to facilitate electron transportation, which greatly improved rate performance of LiFePO4 materials. The LiFePO4 with appropriate amount of surface conductive phase exhibits excellent rate capability with 125 mA.h.g(-1) at 20 C and stable capacity retention with 98.5% for 200 cycles at 5 C. The finding provides a new idea for improved electrochemical performances of LiFePO4 materials and contributes to the scaled-up production of LiFePO4 materials for a low-cost route. (C) 2019 The Electrochemical Society.