Disclosed is a rechargeable lithium battery including an electrolyte comprising an ethylene carbonate compound represented by Formula 1, a non-aqueous organic solvent, and a lithium salt; a negative electrode including a negative active material including a silicon-included alloy and being capable of reversibly forming a compound by reacting with lithium; and a positive electrode including a positive active material comprising a compound being capable of reversibly intercalating and deintercalating lithium ions or a material capable of forming a compound containing lithium by reversibly reacting with lithium. (wherein X and Y are each independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen, a halogen, and a fluorinated alkyl having C1 to C5; at least one of X and Y is selected from the group consisting of a halogen, and a fluorinated alkyl having C1 to C5; and M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Al, Sn, Ag, Fe, Bi, Mg, Zn, In, Ge, Pb, and Ti.)