The automotive world has long been promised a “holy grail” that would finally bridge the gap between internal combustion engines (ICE) and electric vehicles (EVs). For a decade, that promise has been the solid-state battery. However, most announcements have come with a “2030” timeline or significant technical trade-offs. That changed this week. Donut Lab has officially launched what it claims is the world’s first all-solid-state battery (ASSB) in production vehicles, and the technical specifications are nothing short of disruptive.
Of course, we have seen our share of “revolutionary” prototypes that never leave the lab. But Donut Lab isn’t just showing a prototype; they are showing a production line. By integrating their battery into the Verge TS Pro motorcycle and the WattEV skateboard platform, they have moved past the theoretical. This technology will not just improve EVs; it fundamentally redefines the physics and economics of mobility, targeting some of the reasons why some enthusiasts still cling to their gasoline-powered machines.
The shift: All-Solid-State vs. Traditional Lithium-Ion
To understand the importance of this technology, we must look at the current industry standard: the Liquid Lithium-Ion battery. These batteries rely on a liquid electrolyte to move ions between the anode and cathode. While effective, this liquid is flammable, heavy, and sensitive to temperature. It also facilitates the growth of “dendrites”, tiny needle-like structures that can puncture the separator and cause thermal runaway (battery fires). Donut Lab’s CEO, Marco, notes that for a decade, the industry has offered “trade-offs” rather than breakthroughs.
Donut Lab’s solid-state battery replaces this volatile liquid with a solid electrolyte system. This is not a “semi-solid” or “hybrid” approach; it is an all-solid-state design engineered as a complete system, including pack electronics and thermal management. By removing the liquid, Donut Lab has eliminated the primary cause of battery fires and opened the door to energy densities that were previously thought impossible for production-ready units.
| Feature | Current Liquid Lithium-Ion | Donut Lab Solid-State Battery |
| Energy Density | ~250 – 300 Wh/kg | 400 Wh/kg |
| Charging Time (0-100%) | 30 – 60 Minutes (Rapid) | 5 Minutes |
| Cycle Life | 1,000 – 1,500 Cycles | 100,000 Cycles |
| Safety | Flammable / Thermal Runaway Risk | Non-flammable / No Thermal Runaway |
| Extreme Temperature | 20-40% Range Loss at -30°C | >99% Capacity Retention |
This transition marks the end of the “compromise era.” Previously, manufacturers had to choose between fast charging and battery longevity, or between safety and energy density. Donut Lab claims to have eliminated these trade-offs, offering a “no compromise” platform that matches the energy density of the future with the safety needed today.
Interestingly, while we’ve seen similar moves toward silicon-rich anodes to boost capacity in the mobile sector, as we have covered in our analysis of new smartphone battery technology.
Performance without borders: 5-Minute charging and 100,000 cycles
The two biggest hurdles for EV adoption are range anxiety and “charging anxiety.” Donut Lab addresses both with a charging time that finally mimics the refueling of an ICE vehicle. Their battery pack can charge from zero to full in as little as 5 minutes. On the Verge TS Pro motorcycle, this enables the “espresso stop” charging experience, where the bike is ready to go before you’ve even finished your coffee.
Perhaps more shocking for the tech-minded reader is the durability. While a typical EV battery starts to degrade significantly after 1,000 cycles, Donut Lab’s battery is designed for 100,000 cycles. This effectively makes the battery a “forever component” that will outlast the chassis, the motors, and likely the driver. This longevity transforms the total cost of ownership (TCO), particularly for fleets and logistics, as the battery no longer needs to be replaced or “babied” within a strict 20%–80% charging window.
These metrics are not just for show in a lab; they are built for the real world. In extreme climates, where lithium-ion typically struggles, this battery excels. Donut Lab’s testing shows over 99% capacity retention at -30°C and similarly stable performance at temperatures exceeding 100°C. For car enthusiasts, this means a consistent performance envelope, whether you are in a Minnesota winter or a Mojave summer, removing the “asterisk” that currently hangs over electric car performance.
This level of reliability is critical when paired with high-output propulsion systems, much like the ones we compared in our look at the most advanced EV motors.
Every day vs. every lap: Who benefits?
A common misconception is that solid-state technology is a “luxury only” feature destined for multi-million dollar supercars. Donut Lab is aggressively countering this. While the tech will certainly enable lighter, faster supercars by reducing pack weight, demonstrated by the 400 Wh/kg density, its primary mission is the “democratization of performance.” Because the battery is built from globally abundant materials rather than rare-earth minerals, it is structurally designed to be lower cost than current lithium-ion at the pack level.
For the everyday driver, this means a car that is lighter (improving handling), cheaper to run (due to longevity), and as easy to refuel as a gas car. For the supercar enthusiast, it means a vehicle where the battery does not just provide power but acts as a structural element. The “platform” approach allows this technology to scale from two-wheelers and passenger vehicles to heavy trucks and even drones.
The impact also extends to heavy transport. Through their partnership with Cova Power, Donut Lab is electrifying smart trailers that can reduce diesel consumption by up to 54%. Whether it is a motorcycle, a commuter car, or a 40-ton truck, the solid-state battery removes the constraints that have kept EVs in a secondary position to combustion engines.
The soul factor: Can chemistry replace the roar?
Of course, for a certain breed of enthusiast, the transition to an electric vehicle feels like a loss of identity. There is an undeniable, primal satisfaction in the mechanical symphony of a high-revving internal combustion engine, the metallic scream of a V12 at 9,000 RPM, the physical “thud” of a downshift, and the visceral vibration that travels from the chassis into your marrow. To many, these are not just features; they are the soul of the machine. The roar of an engine is the soundtrack of our passion, a sensory experience that turns a simple commute into a ritual and, in the eyes of many, is what separates a mere appliance from a true driver’s car.
This emotional tie is exactly why legacy manufacturers are not letting go just yet. While Donut Lab pushes the electric frontier, we are simultaneously seeing the peak of mechanical refinement, such as Porsche’s new W12 engine patent, which aims to perfect the art of the explosion before the electric dawn fully breaks.
However, as we look at the raw, unbridled torque of the Verge TS Pro, 737 lb-ft delivered instantly to the pavement through a hubless rim motor, we have to ask if a new kind of “soul” is emerging. While the silence of an EV might lack the traditional “roar,” the sheer violence of 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds without the interruption of gear shifts offers a different kind of thrill: the feeling of being strapped to a silent, unstoppable force of nature. For those who value the mechanical connection, the ICE will always hold a sacred place. But for those chasing the ultimate expression of physics and speed, the arrival of production solid-state technology suggests that while the “rumble” may be fading, the adrenaline is only just getting started.
