Well-dispersed LiFePO4 nanorods in diameter of ca. 70nm and length of 90–150nm are prepared via a solvothermal method in the water-ethylene glycol (1:15, v/v) mixture. The microstructure and crystal orientation are characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The effects of carbon content on the electrochemical performances of LiFePO4 nanorods are investigated. Benefiting from the oriented nanorods and the optimized conductive carbon network, the LiFePO4/C composites exhibit remarkable cycling stability and high rate capacity. The LiFePO4/C including 9wt% carbon delivers a large discharge capacity of 120mAhg−1 at 10C rate with the capacity retention of 83% after 2000 cycles. Furthermore, the capacity retention of LiFePO4/C with 6wt% carbon is up to 96% after 150 cycles at elevated temperature (50°C) at 1C rate.