The application of lithium ion batteries in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) requires safety, high energy density, high power density, excellent cyclability and good low temperature performance. On the basis of thermally stable Li3V2(PO4)(3)/C and cost-effective performance carbon additives, we designed a Li3V1.97Zn0.05(PO4)(3)/(C+10PB) (PB stands for performance carbon additives PBX101) cathode that meets the above requirements for PHEVs battery. Firstly, its Ragone plot presents an excellent energy density retention at high power rates; secondly, the excellent capacity retention and high Coulombic efficiency of Li3V1.97Zn0.05(PO4)(3)/(C+10PB)-Li half-cell clearly indicates a potential good cyclability of full cells based on Li3V1.97Zn0.05(PO4)(3)/(C+10PB) cathode. Finally, we believe the good low temperature performance of Li3V1.97Zn0.05(PO4)(3)/(C+10PB) (i.e. retains 91.6% and 76.3% of its capacity at similar to 25 degrees C, when cycled at 0 and -15 degrees C) is also beneficial to its application in PHEVs. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.