B2B News | When Donut Lab unveiled what it calls the world’s first all-solid-state battery ready for serially manufactured vehicles at CES in January, the reaction was immediate, and intense.
Industry insiders, engineers, and competitors alike have been debating the claims ever since. A commercially available solid-state battery for production vehicles has long been considered the holy grail of electric mobility. So when Donut Lab said it had done it, and that it was ready now, the natural response was equal parts excitement and skepticism.
Now the company is leaning into both.
Putting the Donut battery to the test
Rather than relying solely on its own data, Donut Lab has sent its battery to VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, one of Europe’s leading state-owned research institutions, for independent measurement and validation.
“The Donut Battery has generated a lot of interest among both the media and industry experts since our launch,” says Donut Lab CEO Marko Lehtimäki. “Such an exceptional innovation has naturally also generated plenty of speculation and doubt, how is this even possible? It really is possible, and we now want to shine a light on the technical features of the battery through more detailed measurements.”
VTT has conducted a series of laboratory tests to assess the battery’s performance and capabilities. Donut Lab says the full measurement reports will be published in their entirety, alongside a video series documenting the research process and findings.
The first installment drops February 23 at 2pm CET via the company’s social channels and the newly launched “I Donut Believe” website, a name that nods directly to the skepticism surrounding the breakthrough.
Why solid-state matters
For years, solid-state battery technology has been positioned as the next transformative leap in electric mobility. Compared to traditional lithium-ion systems, solid-state batteries promise:
- Improved safety
- Higher energy density
- Reduced weight
- Greater design flexibility
- Elimination of flammable liquid electrolytes
Perhaps most critically, solid-state architectures are not susceptible to thermal runaway in extreme conditions, a persistent concern with conventional lithium-ion packs. Donut Lab claims its “Donut Battery” delivers on these long-promised advantages while being ready for serial production, something major global manufacturers have been chasing for years.
According to CTO Ville Piippo, the launch has already “shaken up the global vehicle manufacturing industry,” as larger players scramble to present similar solutions.
Hype or historic?
The solid-state race has been crowded with announcements, prototypes, and timelines that keep slipping. That’s precisely why independent verification matters. If VTT’s findings validate Donut Lab’s claims, the implications are significant: longer-range EVs, lighter platforms, safer battery systems, and new design possibilities across mobility sectors.
For now, the industry watches, cautiously optimistic, intensely curious. Donut Lab seems to understand the moment. Instead of avoiding scrutiny, it has chosen to spotlight it.
In a sector where bold claims often outpace deliverables, “I Donut Believe” may be more than a clever campaign name. It’s a direct challenge to doubt, and an invitation to examine the data.
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