Automotive electrification is a main source of demand for lithium ion batteries. Performances of battery charging directly affect consumers' recognition and acceptability of electric vehicles. Study on optimized charging methods is vital for future development of a smarter battery management system and an intelligent electric vehicle. This paper starts from introducing the working principles and existing problems of simple charging methods and then elaborating various optimized charging methods along with their characteristics and applications. It demonstrates that the optimized charging methods can reduce charging time, improve charging performance and extend battery life cycle comparing with conventional charging methods. At the end, this paper also provides a four-step pathway towards the design of an optimal charging method of Li-ion batteries: determine optimization objectives, establish optimization scheme, develop matching design and implement and promote the optimal charging method. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.