by Ambitions in the Battery Market
The world of batteries is full of ambition, yet remains under the control of a small circle of Chinese and Korean giants. When the Finnish startup Donut Lab earlier this year claimed to have developed the world’s first fully solid-state battery for vehicles, it could not go unnoticed.
Claimed Specifications
Donut Lab claims to have created what many consider the “Holy Grail” among batteries. The company states that this battery charges faster than any other on the market, has an energy density of 400 Wh/kg, and is rated for 100,000 charging cycles. Predictably, this raised a number of questions and doubts.
Industry experts reacted sharply to these claims, prompting Donut Lab to partner with the Finnish Technical Research Centre VTT to demonstrate the actual charging speed of its battery.
Fast Charging Demonstration
In a new video, Donut Lab attempts to show the charging speed and thermal resilience of its latest battery. The key figure is the claimed charging rate of up to 11C (286A), which, if confirmed, would place it alongside unique developments.
Cooling System Verification
During the 11C charging test, the battery cell charged from 0 to 80 percent in just 4.5 minutes when equipped with two radiators. A full charge at 11C took just over 7 minutes. During this test, the battery temperature reached 63°C. In a separate test with only one aluminum radiator, the temperature rose to 90°C, forcing the process to be paused for 4 minutes to cool the battery.
It is emphasized that Donut Lab had previously claimed its battery does not require active cooling to safely achieve extreme charging speeds. However, this test suggests that a certain level of thermal management is still necessary.
Nevertheless, the charging speed is impressive, especially for a company of this size.
Technology Differences
According to Donut Lab CEO Ville Piippo, unlike other solid-state batteries, which require high compressive pressure and undergo volume changes of up to 15-20 percent during charge-discharge cycles, the Donut battery does not require special compression or more powerful cooling.
Response to Critics
The company published the results of its fast-charging test on a new website called “iDonutBelieve,” a transparent nod to those who claimed the firm was exaggerating its statements. Donut Lab promises that the results of the next test will be published next week with the aim of confirming the claimed energy density and 100,000-cycle durability.
First Application
The first vehicle to use Donut Lab’s solid-state battery will be a fully electric motorcycle from Verge. The model, named the TS Pro, is expected in the first quarter and will be offered with batteries of 20.2 and 33.3 kWh capacity.
The success of this technology could significantly impact the electric vehicle and stationary energy storage markets, reducing “range anxiety” and downtime. However, the transition from lab demonstrations to mass production that meets automotive safety and durability standards remains a key challenge for any new battery technology. Proving economic viability and manufacturing scalability will also be crucial for Donut Lab’s promises to become a reality on the roads.
