The electrochemical properties of hard carbon anodes in lithium ion batteries were improved by carbon coating using polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The reduction in irreversible capacity occured and the reversible capacity increased. It is suggested that the PVC carbon coating modifies the surface of hard carbon and reduces the surface reaction with species from air. The degree of the graphitization of PVC carbon was controlled by an addition of Ni, and the effect of the amount of Ni addition on the electrochemical properties was discussed.