Rechargeable lithium battery

A rechargeable lithium battery, comprising:

• an electrolyte solution comprising a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and an additive;
• a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode active material;
• and
• a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode active material,
• wherein the non-aqueous organic solvent comprises ethylene carbonate in an amount of less than about 5 wt %,
• the additive comprises a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, and
• the positive electrode active material is represented by Chemical Formula 2:
• wherein, in Chemical Formula 1,
• R1 to R4 are each independently hydrogen, a halogen, a cyano group, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C30 heterocyclic group;
• LiaNixMn1−x−yAyO2±bXc Chemical Formula 2
• wherein, in Chemical Formula 2,
• 0.9≤a≤1.2, 0≤b≤0.1, 0≤c≤0.1, 0.5≤x≤0.95, and 0≤y<0.3,
• A is at least one element selected from B, Na, Mg, Al, Ti, and Si, and
• X is at least one element selected from S, F, P, and Cl.