Rapid development of high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) enables the sufficient driving range of electric vehicles (EVs). However, the slow charging speed restricts the popularization of EVs. Commitment to fast-charging research is considered to be the key to advance the EVs strategy. This Review discusses the kinetic factors limiting the fast-charging capability at the material aspects, and summarizes the recent research strategies to achieve fast-charging performance of high-energy-density LIBs through electrode engineering, electrolyte design, and interface optimization. The increasingly important role of computational tools and advanced characterization techniques in fundamentally understanding the failure mechanism of LIBs is emphasized, and the analysis of the thermal runaway problem in the fast-charging process and the corresponding thermal optimization scheme is also involved to give the guidance for the more rational battery design. In view of these factors and strategies, some future perspectives for realizing high-performance fast-charging LIBs are proposed, which are expected to facilitate the large-scale application of fast-charging LIBs in EVs.