We demonstrate the high-rate capability of lithium ion insertion-deinsertion reactions in carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The morphology of CNFs with structural and surface defects, due to the mixed features of disordered and graphitic carbon, plays an important role in both the enhancement of the lithium ion storage and the rate-determining reactions during the topotactic process. The reversible specific capacity of the CNFs at a 0.1 C rate was 461 mA center dot h/g. The most promising property, which is expected to overcome the hurdles of lithium batteries for high-power applications, is that they deliver considerably high specific capacity even at a very high charge-discharge current, i.e., at a cycling rate of 10 C the reversible capacity is around 170 mA center dot h/g with a 95% Coulombic efficiency.