NOVELTY - A positive electrode material comprises an electroactive material having phase(s) comprising lithium, an electroactive metal (M), and phosphate. In the fully lithiated state, the overall composition has a ratio of greater than 1 to 1.3 with respect to lithium and metal (M), and a ratio of 1-1.14 with respect to phosphate and metal (M). The electroactive metal is chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt and/or nickel. At least one phase comprises an olivine lithium electroactive metal phosphate.    USE - Material is used for positive electrodes used in lithium secondary cells (both claimed). Uses include but are not limited to portable electronic appliances, cordless hand tools, on-board uninterrupted power supply devices, aviation and rechargeable electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric wires, automobiles, and buses.    ADVANTAGE - The positive-electrode material provides lithium secondary cells having excellent discharge rate capability and decreased charge time. The positive-electrode material contributes to a higher energy storage capacity for a lithium secondary cell. The material shows a strong correlation between the presence of a secondary phase rich in lithium and phosphate and high-power performance and excellent reversible capacity retention in a lithium secondary cell. The lithium-rich phase specifically enhances the high-rate (high-power) lithium insertion by forming a layer which contacts the olivine electroactive material of the positive electrode. The dopant increases electronic conductivity of the olivine powder and limits the sintering of olivine nanophosphate particles to allow full utilization of the lithium capacity during fast charge/discharge of the battery. The presence of secondary phase which at least partially covers the core olivine crystallites prevents close contact at grain boundaries of aggregates of olivine nanophosphate particles and prevents the sintering of these aggregates into larger (greater than 100 nm) olivine single crystals. This can give a significant advantage for high power applications of lithium ion batteries and contribute to excellent high rate cathode capacities for the material.