This invention discloses a rechargeable nickel ion battery based on the nano-carbon materials. The said nickel ion battery is composed of a nano-carbon material cathode, a nickel anode, an separator, and an electrolyte containing nickel ions. The said nano-carbon materials are fullerene, carbon nanotube, graphene, carbon fiber, carbon foam or the composite of over two different carbon materials, etc. During discharging anodic nickel will be electrochemically dissolved as Ni2+ ions, which diffuses to the cathodic electrode/electrolyte interface through the electrolyte, and nickel ions are subsequently stored on surface of nano-carbon materials. During charging, above-mentioned process will be reverse. This battery is characterized with high capacity, fast charge and long cycle life due to the high surface area of nano-carbon materials.