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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did the Donut Lab say? It's a hole lot of research.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Donut Lab OÜ
TypePrivate limited company (osaühing)
IndustryTechnology
FoundedAugust 2024; 2 years ago (2024-08)
FounderMarko Lehtimäki
Owners
  • Donut Group Oy (50%)
  • Donut Holding Oy (50%)
Websitedonutlab.com

Donut Lab OÜ is a Finnish technology company with headquarters in Estonia. Founded in 2024, it is owned by the Finnish companies Donut Group Oy (50%) and Donut Holding Oy (50%).[1] Donut Lab was spun off from the Finnish company Verge Motorcycles [fi] to promote its wheel hub motors.

The company announced in January 2026 that it had created a solid-state battery, named Donut Battery, which contains no lithium and lasts for 100,000 fast-charging cycles with an energy density of 400 Wh/kg. The company announced the battery is being used in production motorcycles made by Verge, which would ship to customers in the first quarter of that year. The CEO stated in April 2026 that no batteries had been delivered to customers.

The battery claims attracted widespread criticism, and numerous academics, researchers, and journalists disputed the validity of the claims made by Donut Lab. Battery researchers and engineers analyzing published test results stated that they were consistent with lithium-ion batteries, contradicting the company's claims.

Founding

[edit]

Verge Motorcycles

[edit]

Donut Lab was created in August 2024 as subsidiary of Verge Motorcycles.[2][3] Verge Motorcycles was founded in Seinäjoki, Finland, in 2018, as a developer and manufacturer of electric motorcycles.[4][5] The company has delivered under 100 electric motorcycles since its founding until February 2026.[5] Between January 2026 and April 2026, Verge has made one motorcycle, and no 400 Wh/kg batteries have been shipped to customers.[6] Verge stated it aims to manufacture one motorcycle per week starting April 2026, and ramp up production to one motorcycle per day by the end of the year.[7]

Reviews of the original Verge TS Pro motorcycle highlight the motor's torque and unique look and the model's long city-driving range, but criticize the sluggish handling and price.[8][9] In response to customer feedback, the 2026 model was designed with updated suspension and shock absorbers, an adjusted steering angle, and a motor that is half the weight of its predecessor, while keeping the same power and torque.[10]

Demerger into Donut Lab

[edit]

Verge Motorcycles reported losses of about €9M and €10M in 2023 and 2024 respectively.[11] The company's external auditor reported in 2026 it relies on loans from its Finnish parent company, its management, and their relatives, and could not complete its 2024 annual audit due to extensive deficiencies in record-keeping.[12]

Donut Lab was founded in 2024 by Marko Lehtimäki, who previously served as Chief Technology Officer of Verge Motorcycles.[3] Prior to becoming separate entities in August 2024, Verge Motorcycles and Donut Lab raised 15 million euro in 2024.[13] Donut Lab raised 25 million euro in a seed funding round in July 2025.[2]

Donut Lab announced the full acquisition of Nordic Nano in August 2026, a startup company of which Donut Lab previously had a controlling stake.[14]

Wheel hub motor

[edit]

Donut Lab promotes the Donut Motor, a wheel hub motor developed by Verge Motorcycles that takes its name from its toroid donut-like shape. The motor integrates directly into the vehicle's tire assembly, eliminating the need for a traditional transmission,[15] and freeing the space where the motor would traditionally be, so a battery module can take its place.[16]

At the January 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the company unveiled several motor designs, among them a 21-inch 40 kg (88 lb) motor designed for delivering 630 kW (840 hp) of power and 4,300 N⋅m (3,200 lbf⋅ft) of torque, and a 17-inch 21 kg (46 lb) motor designed for 150 kW (200 hp) and 1,200 N⋅m (890 lbf⋅ft).[15]

Solid-state battery

[edit]

Donut Lab introduced its solid-state battery, Donut Battery, at CES 2026. The company's CEO, Marko Lehtimäki, stated that it contains no lithium.[17] The CEO stated the battery pack is integrated into Verge motorcycles that will be delivered to customers in the first quarter of 2026. According to the CEO, the battery cell has an energy density of 400 Wh/kg (180 Wh/lb); the motorcycle battery pack is capable of 100,000 charge cycles at a C-rate of 5C; it operates in temperatures from −30 to 100 °C or −30 to 200 °F; it can be discharged to 0% and charged to 100% in daily use with no damage; and it's priced lower than current automotive lithium-ion batteries.[16][18] No independent testing was done in support of the claims presented, however, with the company presenting mockups in place of actual batteries.[19][20]

Eight months later, the CEO said the battery can last for 5,000 fast charging cycles, and will only last 100,000 cycles under gentler conditions in moderate temperatures.[21]

Production

[edit]

Motorcycles equipped with the battery were scheduled to ship to customers in the first quarter of 2026.[22][23][24] When questioned by journalists, the company did not disclose the location of its battery production facility.[25] Internal correspondence published by Helsingin Sanomat describes the business relationship between Donut Lab, Nordic Nano, and CT-Coating up to March 2026: Donut Lab is the productizer of the battery, Nordic Nano is the manufacturer, and CT-Coating is the developer and supplier of the manufacturing equipment. Donut Lab asked CT-Coating in March 2026 for measurement results that would match the specifications that were announced by Donut Lab in January at CES 2026, which was later tested by VTT. CT-Coating did not provide these results. CT-Coating stopped the development of that battery, and started exclusively developing a different battery. At the end of March, Donut Lab asked when it would be able to conduct tests on the new battery. Helsingin Sanomat concluded from the correspondence that Donut Lab never had a production-ready battery.[6]

Criminal complaint

[edit]

Helsingin Sanomat reported in April 2026 that the CCO of Nordic Nano, the company manufacturing the Donut Lab battery and itself partly owned by Donut Lab, had filed a criminal complaint against Donut Lab, alleging that the battery's energy density, charging cycle endurance, and mass-production readiness advertised by Donut Lab had not been achieved.[6]

Criticism

[edit]

Donut Lab's battery claims immediately attracted widespread criticism from battery experts in academia,[26][27][28][29][30][a] battery industry executives, finance industry professionals,[31] technology journalists, and discussion participants on technology websites.[32] Ulderico Ulissi, head of off-China operations of the battery manufacturer CATL, called the claims fake.[3] Yang Hongxin, CEO of the battery manufacturer SVOLT, said a battery with those technical details does not exist and called it a scam.[33]

Evidence

[edit]

VTT

[edit]

Lehtimäki said in a February 2026 video that VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) had been hired to perform tests of the battery as specified by Donut Lab.[27] Battery researchers and engineers[b] analyzing the published VTT results found them consistent with those of currently available battery cells with a Si-Gr anode and Li-NMC cathode,[34] and that the voltage to state-of-charge curve strongly indicates the device chemistry is Li-NMC.[35][36][37] In total, over 20 academics and battery engineers found the results indicate a lithium-ion battery, contradicting statements by Donut Lab that the battery contains no lithium.[38][39][40] Experts criticize Donut Lab for not performing capacity fade and pack-level performance tests,[41] and the capacity degradation at the 11C test indicates the battery reaches 70% of its original capacity after 30-50 such cycles.[42]

Intertek

[edit]

Donut Lab provided a sample device to Intertek in August 2026 for a nail-penetration test. The report notes Intertek did not verify the device is a functioning battery cell.[43] Donut Lab provided other samples in "tear down condition" for lithium and sodium analysis. Intertek reported the samples match the ones from the nail-penetration test, and contained 632 parts-per-million sodium and 3.4 ppm lithium.[44] Donut Lab argues this rules out the device is a lithium or sodium battery. No analysis was performed on the electrolyte, no investigation of the battery was performed, and there was no confirmation the device given to Intertek was the same as the battery tested by VTT.[45]

Notes

[edit]
a.^ Shirley Meng, University of Chicago; Eric Wachsman, University of Maryland;[29] Tanja Kallio, Aalto University;[26] Daniel Brandell, Uppsala University;[30] Simon Lux, University of Münster[28]
b.^ Euan McTurk PhD,[37] Markus Gehring PhD,[34] Julian Zahnow MSc, Joachim Sann PhD, Tom Bötticher MSc, Juho Heiska DSc, and over 16 others[38]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Marttinen, Mikko; Volkova, Polina (9 January 2026). "Suomalaisyrittäjän ihmekeksintö herättää epäilyksiä – sama mies julisti kehittäneensä supertekoälyn" [Finnish entrepreneur's miracle invention raises suspicions—the same man previously claimed to have developed super AI]. Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 23 February 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Finnish startup lands €25 million seed to expand modular EV component platform". Arctic Startup. 25 July 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 "Maailman suurimman akkuvalmistajan johtaja syyttää Donut Labia huijauksesta" [The head of the world's largest battery manufacturer accuses Donut Lab of fraud]. Iltalehti (in Finnish). Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  4. ↑ "Sähkömoottoripyöriä tekevän Verge Motorcyclesin sijoittajat suhtautuvat intohimoisesti moottoriurheiluun" [Investors in electric motorcycle maker Verge Motorcycles are passionate about motorsport]. Suomen Yrittäjät (in Finnish). 13 February 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  5. 1 2 Max Lange (2 April 2026). "Vergen moottoripyörien toimitusaika venähti – Näin kommentoi toimitusjohtaja" [Verge's motorcycle delivery time extended – CEO comments]. Kauppalehti (in Finnish).
  6. 1 2 3 Mercedes Streeter (17 April 2026). "The Game-Changing Promises of the World's First Production Solid-State Battery Are Being Questioned by a Whistleblower: Report". The Autopian.
  7. ↑ Max Lange (16 April 2026), "Vergen ensimmäiset pyörät eivät päädykään asiakkaille" [Verge's first bikes don't end up with customers], Iltalehti (in Finnish), retrieved 8 September 2026
  8. ↑ Troy Siahaan (20 June 2024). "2024 Verge TS Pro Electric Motorcycle Review – Quick Ride". Motorcycle.com.
  9. ↑ Don Williams (22 June 2024). "2024 Verge TS Pro Review [90-Minute Electric Motorcycle Test]". Ultimate Motorcycling.
  10. ↑ Rennie Scaysbrook (4 November 2025). "Verge introduces updated TS Pro at EICMA". Cycle News.
  11. ↑ "Donut Lab Claimed A Breakthrough Battery. Experts Claim Foul", Transport Evolved, 11 June 2026
  12. ↑ Ville Kolari (19 January 2026), "Donut Labin ihmeakun lanseeraukseen liittyvän Verge Motorcyclesin tilintarkastus paljasti kaaoksen", Yle
  13. ↑ "Teknologiayhtiö Donut Lab vahvistaa osaajajoukkoaan: Risto Siilasmaa mukaan hallitukseen", STT Info, retrieved 27 January 2026
  14. ↑ Ilmari Parviala (19 August 2026), "Kohuyhtiö Donut Lab kävi ostoksilla – Lisätietoa Risto Siilasmaasta", Kauppalehti (in Finnish)
  15. 1 2 Nikkola, Joni (9 January 2026). "Suomalaisyritys esitteli "donitsimoottorien" perheen – "uskomme, että nämä moottorit tulevat muuttamaan koko alan"" [Finnish company introduces family of "donut engines" – "we believe these engines will change the entire industry"]. Tekniikan Maailma (in Finnish). Retrieved 12 January 2026.
  16. 1 2 Steve Sheridan (11 January 2026). "CES 2026: Donut Lab Solid State Battery & Motor Integrated into Verge Motorcycle" – via YouTube.
  17. ↑ The Electric Duo (Patrick & Liv) (7 January 2026). "EV Battery Breakthrough| Donut Lab Solid-State Battery & CEO interview|" – via YouTube.
  18. ↑ "Suomalainen yritys julkaisi maailmaa mullistavan keksinnön – Asiantuntija tutustui ja pitää lupauksia epärealistisina" [A Finnish company released a world-changing invention – An expert took a look and finds the promises unrealistic]. Iltalehti (in Finnish). Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  19. ↑ Rob Pegoraro (17 January 2026). "Donut Labs' Solid-State Battery-Powered Motorcycle Turned Heads at CES, But Big Questions Remain". PCMag.
  20. ↑ Novella, Steven (13 January 2026). "Is Donut Lab's Solid State Battery Legit?". NeuroLogica Blog. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  21. ↑ Paul Horrell (2 September 2026), "Donut's Lab's solid-state battery has hit 409Wh/kg: can this tech transform EVs?", Top Gear
  22. ↑ Donut Lab (5 January 2026). "World's First All-Solid-State Battery in Production Vehicles | Donut Battery" – via YouTube.
  23. ↑ Elijah Nicholson-Messmer (26 January 2026). "The First Production-Ready Solid-State Battery Promises 5-Minute Charging". autoblog.
  24. ↑ Steve Sheridan (11 January 2026), "CES 2026: Donut Lab Solid State Battery & Motor Integrated into Verge Motorcycle", YouTube
  25. ↑ "Missä se Donut Labin akkutehdas oikein piileskelee? – "Emme kommentoi"" [Where exactly is Donut Lab's battery factory hiding? – "We won't comment"]. Tekniikan Maailma (in Finnish). 26 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  26. 1 2 "Suomalainen startup väittää keksineensä superakun – professori tyrmistyi lupauksista: "Rikkoisi fysiikan periaatteita"" [Finnish startup claims to have invented a super battery – professor dismayed by promises: "It would violate the principles of physics"]. Yle (in Finnish). 23 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  27. 1 2 Storås, Niclas (20 February 2026). ""Ei, tämä ei ole huijaus" – Suomalaistaustainen Donut Lab on julkistanut uuden videon mullistavasta mysteeriakustaan" ["No, this is not a scam" – Finnish-based Donut Lab has released a new video about its groundbreaking mystery battery]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 20 February 2026.
  28. 1 2 Jakob Pallinger (30 March 2026). "Warum der Glaube an einen Akku, der alles kann, verfehlt ist" [Why the belief in a battery that can do everything is misguided]. Der Standard (in German).
  29. 1 2 Casey Crownhart (26 February 2026). "This company claims a battery breakthrough. Now they need to prove it". MIT Technology Review.
  30. 1 2 Johan Kristensson (9 January 2026), "Professor om finska superbatteriet: "För bra för att vara sant"", Ny Teknik
  31. ↑ Carlos González (27 February 2026). "Los primeros datos reales de la batería de Donut Labs no demuestran lo que prometen" [The first real-world data from Donut Labs' battery doesn't live up to its promises.]. TestCoches.es (in Spanish).
  32. ↑ Daniel Cooper (1 April 2026). "What's going on with Donut Lab's so-called super battery?". Engadget.
  33. ↑ "Kritiikki Donut Labia kohtaan yltyy – "Kuka tahansa perustiedot omaava teknikko tunnistaa huijaukseksi"" [Criticism of Donut Lab is mounting – "Any technician with basic knowledge can recognize it as a scam"]. Kauppalehti (in Finnish). 23 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  34. 1 2 Mark Peplow (21 April 2026). "Whistleblower alleges Finnish startup's vaunted solid-state battery isn't what it claims". science.org.
  35. ↑ Andy Turudic (23 February 2026). "VTT Report on Donut Lab's Solid-State Battery is a Nothingburger". Electronic Design.
  36. ↑ Ziroth (24 February 2026). "Testing the World's First Solid-State Battery" – via YouTube.
  37. 1 2 Electric Classic Cars and Plug Life Television (9 March 2026). "Is the new solid state battery from Donut Lab the end of petrol?" – via YouTube.
  38. 1 2 Ziroth (8 June 2026). Exposing the Solid State Donut Battery. It's Over. Retrieved 11 June 2026 – via YouTube.
  39. ↑ Sinha, Sujita. "Donut Lab's miracle battery found to be a fraud, investigation claims". Interesting Engineering. Archived from the original on 9 June 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  40. ↑ Jacobs, Skye (10 June 2026). "Experts say Donut Lab's "breakthrough" solid-state battery is just ordinary lithium-ion". TechSpot. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  41. ↑ Suvrat Kothari (3 March 2026), "What Donut Lab's Latest Solid-State EV Battery Test Actually Reveals", InsideEVs
  42. ↑ Christoph M. Schwarzer (3 March 2026), "Donut-Batterie: Finnisches Start-up verspricht Wunder", Heise Auto
  43. ↑ Evaluation of bipolar electrode architecture through destructive analysis (PDF), Intertek Semko AB, 12 August 2026
  44. ↑ Intertek Wilton (22 September 2026), Quantification of Li and Na in a Pouchcell Sample (PDF)
  45. ↑ "Первая в мире серийная твердотельная батарея для машин Donut Lab содержит литий и натрий", IXBT.com, 24 September 2026
[edit]
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