Abstract: Spinel-type lithium manganese oxide (LiMn₂O₄) and olivine-type lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) Li-ion batteries are in the majority of power batteries for electric vehicles at present. Li-ion batteries prepared with two kinds of cathode materials were manufactured, and the performance comparisons were made to provide references for selecting power batteries in electric vehicles. The research on specific energy, specific power, temperature characteristic, service lifecycle, and impedance characteristics was conducted. The results show that, LiFePO₄ batteries are superior to LiMn₂O₄ batteries, except low temperature performance and power density.