Carbon-based composites are the most promising anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), due to the sustainability and high electronic conductivity. However, the poor dynamics of SIBs limit the practical application of carbon materials. Herein, the nitrogen doped three-dimensional porous carbons (NPC) with expanded graphitic interlayer space (0.37 nm) was prepared by a hard MgO template assisted method through using zero-cost asphalt powder as precursors and low-cost urea as an additional nitrogen source. The unique structure of NPC is not only conducive to the increase of reversible capacity, but also to accelerate the diffusion of Na+, enabling the NPC anode with rapid capacitive sodium storage. The NPC-based electrode delivers a high reversible capacity (352.7 mAh g(-1) at 0.2 A g(-1)), cycle life (with 99% at 5.0 A g(-1) for 900 cycles) and diffusion rate of Na+ (1.66 x 10(-9) and 3.78 x 10(-9) cm(2) s(-1) for anodic and cathodic, respectively). Furthermore, the NPC is prepared via a one-step low-cost process, suggesting a prospective development of carbon-based anode materials for SIBs. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.