The rechargeable lithium ion battery has been extensively used in mobile communication and portable instruments due to its many advantages, such as high volumetric and gravimetric energy density, long cycle life, low self-discharge rate. In addition, it is the promising candidate as the power source for electric vehicles. The first generation of negative electrode materials was pure lithium metal; the second was carbon. Nowadays extensive research is focusing on lithium alloys. In this paper, the properties of lithium metal and carbon are summarized and the development of lithium alloys is reviewed.