Key Takeaways

• Finnish startup Donut Lab claims to have developed a groundbreaking solid-state battery with five-minute charging and high energy density.
• Industry experts express skepticism over Donut Lab’s claims due to a lack of detailed information and independent validation.
• The solid-state battery may use novel materials and manufacturing techniques, potentially positioning Europe against dominant Chinese battery makers.

Claims of a New Battery Technology

In early January 2026, Finnish startup Donut Lab garnered attention at CES 2026 by announcing a solid-state battery poised to revolutionize the electric vehicle (EV) market. The company asserts that it has developed a battery featuring five-minute charging and an impressive energy density of 400 watt-hours per kilogram, significantly surpassing current lithium-ion technologies. Donut Lab plans to debut this battery in partnership with Verge Motorcycles for an upcoming electric motorcycle.

While the claims are ambitious, industry experts caution about the challenges associated with solid-state batteries. Jiayan Shi, an electrochemistry associate at BloombergNEF, emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships and detailed performance data for any verification. Donut Lab’s co-founder Marko Lehtimaki insists that the technology is ready for commercialization, asserting that their batteries are already shipping.

However, Donut Lab has not made available detailed information about its battery chemistry or manufacturing processes, raising questions among analysts. Without publicly available patents or independent testing, skeptics argue the lack of transparency makes it difficult to validate the performance claims. Stephanie Valdez-Streaty from Cox Automotive echoed this skepticism, stating it is unclear how Donut Lab’s technology stacks up against the advancements made by larger companies like Toyota and QuantumScape.

Industry Reactions and Competitor Analysis

Responses from other industry players have been mixed. Yang Hongxin, CEO of Svolt Energy, bluntly dismissed Donut Lab’s claims as baseless, highlighting the technological advancements that Chinese manufacturers are making in the solid-state battery space. Reports indicate that production facilities for solid-state batteries are expected to emerge primarily in China, challenging the viability of Donut Lab’s assertions.

BloombergNEF forecasts that a significant portion of the global capacity for solid-state battery manufacturing will be concentrated in China in the coming years. This raises the question of how a smaller company like Donut Lab could compete with industry giants boasting extensive resources and R&D budgets.

Potential Breakthrough Materials

Notably, Donut Lab could be leveraging advanced materials developed through its investment in Nordic Nano, a company specializing in advanced nanotechnology. This relationship may indicate that Donut Lab’s innovations could be based on new technologies like carbon-based composites, which may enhance battery performance while eliminating traditional toxic materials. Nordic Nano has highlighted the potential for these new materials to achieve high energy density and long battery life, which aligns with Donut Lab’s claims.

The Road Ahead for Donut Lab

As excitement and skepticism collide around Donut Lab’s announcements, the industry’s focus will soon shift to independent assessments of the battery’s performance. Verge Motorcycles is slated to deliver models equipped with these batteries starting this quarter, which could be a turning point in solid-state battery technology.

Ultimately, if Donut Lab successfully validates its technology in the coming weeks, it could mark a significant achievement for European battery development, potentially challenging the dominance of established manufacturers. Conversely, if it fails to deliver, the startup may join a growing list of companies that have made bold claims without follow-through, highlighting the ongoing uncertainties in battery technology development.

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