The electrochemical performance of ZrMn0.5V0.4Ni1.1Crx (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) system was investigated intensively. All alloys are multiphase structure; the type and amount of secondary phase decrease with content of Cr increases. The electrochemical activities, capacities, and HRDs of ZrMn0.5V0.4Ni1.1Crx alloy electrodes are worse than that of matrix alloy. The alloy electrodes at x = 0.1, 0.2 have lower self-discharge rate than that of matrix alloy electrode. In general, adding Cr decrease the activity, capacity, and HRD of alloy electrode, is of benefit to the self-discharge and high temperature performance of alloy electrodes. We think it correlates with the decrease of type and amount of secondary phase. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.