Solid-state batteries, finally out of the lab
For more than a decade, solid-state batteries have been hyped as the next great leap for electric vehicles—safer, faster-charging, and more energy-dense than today’s lithium-ion cells. The problem has always been timing. Automakers and battery startups alike have promised breakthroughs “later this decade,” only to quietly push timelines back.
Now Donut Lab, a Finnish startup best known for its futuristic in-wheel electric motors, claims the future has arrived. The company says it has built the world’s first production-ready, all-solid-state battery—and that it’s already manufacturing cells and modules at a gigawatt-hour scale. If those claims pan out, this could mark a genuine inflection point for EVs, from motorcycles and passenger cars to heavy trucks and industrial equipment.
What makes Donut’s battery different
At the heart of Donut Lab’s announcement is a fully solid-state design, meaning the battery uses no liquid electrolyte at all. That single change, according to the company, unlocks a cascade of benefits.
Donut says its cells reach an energy density of about 400 watt-hours per kilogram. That’s a substantial jump over the roughly 250–300 Wh/kg seen in today’s best lithium-ion batteries, allowing for longer range without adding weight—or lighter packs with the same range.
Charging performance is even more eye-catching. Donut claims its battery can fully recharge in as little as five minutes and sustain that performance for up to 100,000 charge cycles. By comparison, most modern EV batteries are rated for a few thousand cycles at best, often with recommended charging limits of 80% to preserve longevity.
Temperature sensitivity, another Achilles’ heel of lithium-ion packs, is also reportedly minimized. Donut Lab says its solid-state cells retain more than 99% of capacity in temperatures ranging from -22°F to 212°F, potentially reducing cold-weather range loss and the need for complex thermal systems.
Safety, cost, and supply chain claims
Solid-state batteries are often touted as safer, and Donut leans heavily into that argument. The company says its cells will not ignite if damaged, addressing one of the most persistent concerns around EV fires.
It also claims the battery avoids rare or geopolitically sensitive materials, though it hasn’t disclosed a full list of what goes into the cells. According to Donut, the batteries are “made from materials that are found everywhere,” avoiding certain political issues while also lowering costs compared to lithium-ion packs. Those claims—especially around cost—will be closely scrutinized, as manufacturing complexity has historically been a major barrier for solid-state technology.
Final thoughts
Unlike many battery announcements, Donut Lab points to a production vehicle as proof. Verge Motorcycles plans to deliver the first EV powered by Donut’s solid-state battery when its updated TS Pro reaches customers in the first quarter of this year.
The standard bike matches the previous lithium-ion model’s 217-mile city range, but a larger battery option—fitting in the same physical space—pushes that figure to as much as 370 miles. Charging time drops to under 10 minutes, though Verge says it intentionally slows charging so riders have time for a break.
The battery will make its public debut at CES 2026 in Las Vegas this week. Whether this is a true breakthrough or another ambitious promise, the coming months should offer the clearest test yet of solid-state batteries in the real world.
