MgO-templated mesoporous carbons with high specific surface areas were employed for the electrode materials of electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs) in low temperature ionic liquids. The mesoporous carbons exhibit strongly enhanced capacitance in ionic liquids at 20 to 40 degrees C compared to conventional activated carbons. Mesopores in the carbon electrodes provide a smooth pathway for the ions, and minimize the temperature influence on the diffusion resistance of the ions. Thus, this paper confirms that mesoporous carbons work as electrode materials to achieve highly enhanced capacitances below 0 degrees C in ionic liquids, which leads to wide ranging applications of EDLC devices. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.