The results of electrode and electrolyte studies reveal that the poor low-temperature (<- 30 degrees C) performance of Li-ion cells is mainly caused by the carbon electrodes and not the organic electrolytes and solid electrolyte interphase, as previously suggested. It is suggested that the main causes for the poor performance in the carbon electrodes are (i) the low value and concentration dependence of the Li diffusivity and (ii) limited Li capacity.