The structure and hydriding performance of La0.6Nd0.4Ni4.8Mn0.2Cux (x = 0 ～ 0.4) alloys were investigated in order to develop suitable materials for metal hydride air conditioner. The effect of Cu addition on the crystal structure,equilibrium pressure, hydrogen capacity and hysteresis as well as hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics were systematically studied by using the measurement of P-C isotherms, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. As the amount of Cu increases, the plateau pressure increases and hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics is improved, but the effective hydrogen storage capacity decreases. It is shown that variations in the basal plane parameter a can be used as an indication for the plateau pressure changes. With the increase of parameter a, the plateau pressure decreases. For La0.6 Nd0.4Ni4.8Mn0.2Cux(x = 0 ～ 0.4) alloys there is a relationship between the effective hydrogen storage capacities and the ratios of their unit cell parameters c and a. The effective hydrogen storage capacity decreases with increase of a/c.