Vanadium oxides have shown promising electrochemical properties as rechargeable Li/sup +/ insertion cathodes. The Li/VO/sub x/ systems have a high theoretical specific energy and a high open circuit voltage. In this paper initial results on Li/sup +/ insertion in two types of VO/sub x/ cathodes are presented: V/sub 6/O/sub 13/ composites and V/sub 2/O/sub 5/ xerogels. Both materials can be readily processed in the form suitable for large scale industrial fabrication. With future applications in mind, the aim of the present paper is to assess the relationship between the morphology and the structure of the active material on one hand and the specific energy and power on the other.<<ETX>>