We report the preparation of highly crystalline Li₃V₆O₁₆ rods (LVO-1 rods) and their use as anode materials in aqueous rechargeable lithium ion batteries (ARLBs) for the first time. Half-cell ARLBs with LVO-1 as an anode material deliver a higher initial capacity of >120 mA h g⁻¹ at high current rates and a higher round trip efficiency of 52% at the end of 100 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g⁻¹. ARLBs with LVO-1 rods as anodes exhibited an excellent rate and cycling performance.