An electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery is provided. The electrolyte includes a non-aqueous organic solvent and a lithium salt. The non aqueous organic solvent includes cyclic carbonate such as ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate, chain carbonate such as dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, methyl ethyl carbonate and methyl propyl carbonate, and alkyl acetate such as n-methyl acetate, n-ethyl acetate and n-propyl acetate. The electrolyte can be used in a rechargeable lithium battery to provide good low temperature characteristics and safety.