NOVELTY - A lithium titanate is formed by sintering a mixture of titanium dioxide and a lithium-based component in a gaseous atmosphere comprising a reducing agent at greater than or equal to 450degreesC for greater than or equal to 30 minutes.    USE - For forming a lithium titanate used in lithium-based cells for rechargeable batteries for vehicles, e.g. hybrid or electric vehicles (e.g. electric motors in gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles), and for non-rechargeable batteries as power source for electric motor of the vehicles.    ADVANTAGE - The lithium titanate contributes to the conservation of energy resources by improving performance of the lithium-based cells. It is deficient of oxygen, which increases electronic conductivity of the lithium titanate by at least three orders over electronic conductivity of a stoichiometric lithium titanate, while avoiding loss of reversible electric power-generating capacity that typically occurs when doping is used to replace titanium in the lithium titanate with atoms that provide higher electronic conductivity.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Formation of a lithium titanate of formula Li4Ti5O12-x, involves sintering a mixture of titanium dioxide and a lithium-based component in a gaseous atmosphere comprising a reducing agent at greater than or equal to 450degreesC for greater than or equal to 30 minutes. An average valence of titanium in the lithium titanate is less than 4.    x=greater than 0, preferably less than 0.02    INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a lithium titanate of formula Li4Ti5O12-x;    (2) a lithium-based cell (a lithium ion cell or lithium polymer cell) comprising an electrolyte, anode, and cathode;    (3) a rechargeable battery; and    (4) a vehicle having the battery.    At least one of the anode and cathode comprises the lithium titanate.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The figure is a schematic view of a rechargeable battery.    Battery pack (14)    Circuit (16)    Battery management system (20)    Interface circuit (22)