Donut Lab Announces Mass-Produced All-Solid-State Battery, Claims 5-Minute Full Charge

[PCauto]In the roadmap of electric vehicle technology evolution, the All-Solid-State Battery has long been regarded as the ultimate battery technology.

Compared to traditional liquid lithium-ion batteries, the All-Solid-State Battery theoretically offers significant advantages in core areas such as energy density, safety, durability, and charging speed.

However, the challenge is that for over a decade, this technology has remained at the sample or small-scale trial production stage, with mass production timelines repeatedly delayed.

Donut Lab's approach this time is direct: not in a few years, but now.

According to Donut Lab, their All-Solid-State Battery already has mass production capabilities, can supply global automakers, and has entered the phase of actual vehicle deliveries.

The first application comes from the TS Pro electric motorcycle by Verge Motorcycles, marking the transition of the All-Solid-State Battery from a technical demonstration to a product that is now purchasable and roadworthy.

From the technical specifications, the parameters of this battery are indeed impressive. Donut Lab claims its energy density reaches 400 Wh/kg, significantly higher than the current mainstream liquid lithium batteries, which have an energy density of around 250–300 Wh/kg.

Even more noteworthy are its charging and lifespan performance. The battery can be fully charged in approximately 5 minutes, supports up to 100,000 charge cycles, and does not require limiting the charging cap to 80%.

This means that throughout the vehicle's lifecycle, range degradation and battery replacement costs are expected to be significantly reduced.

Safety is also a core selling point of the all-solid-state technology. Since it does not contain liquid electrolytes, Donut Lab states that its battery will not catch fire if damaged, and its thermal stability is considerably better than traditional lithium batteries.

In extreme temperature tests, the battery retained more than 99% of its capacity in environments ranging from -30°C to 100°C.

The Verge TS Pro offers a relatively straightforward reference. The old model, equipped with liquid lithium batteries, has a city range of approximately 350 kilometers and a charging time of less than 35 minutes.

In contrast, the new Verge TS Pro, while keeping the battery size unchanged, maintains the standard range and offers an optional higher-capacity version, increasing the range to 595 kilometers, with charging time reduced to under 10 minutes.

Verge even mentioned that the new model deliberately slows down the charging process, allowing riders enough time to finish a cup of coffee.

It is worth noting that Donut Lab repeatedly emphasizes the cost aspect. The company claims its All-Solid-State Battery does not rely on rare materials, that the raw materials are readily available, and are not affected by geopolitical or supply chain bottlenecks.

The overall manufacturing cost is also lower than that of lithium-ion batteries of the same grade.

If this proves true after scaling production, the All-Solid-State Battery could evolve from a high-end technology to a more mainstream option.

Of course, transitioning from motorcycles to passenger vehicles still represents a significant leap. The requirements for battery size, power, and cost in two-wheeled vehicles are different from those in four-wheeled passenger vehicles.

However, Donut Lab has revealed that its technology is being developed in collaboration with partners such as Watt Electric Vehicles, exploring the potential applications for lightweight electric vehicle platforms.

This suggests that the All-Solid-State Battery is not only serving niche markets but also paving the way for larger-scale electric vehicle applications.

This progress signals that the All-Solid-State Battery is no longer just a future concept but is entering the commercial stage.
As for whether it can truly replace traditional liquid lithium batteries, only time will tell.