Are all-solid-state batteries really here, or is it just another case of "wolf coming"?

The company that is not rushing to mass production is not Toyota or Samsung, but a Finnish electric motorcycle manufacturer—Donut Lab. With a bold promise, they have shaken the entire battery industry: energy density of 400Wh/kg, full charge in 5 minutes, 100,000 cycle lifespan. The Verge TS Pro electric motorcycle equipped with all-solid-state batteries will be delivered in the first quarter of 2026.

What do these numbers mean? Comparing them to the current state of the art makes it clear. Currently, top-tier lithium-ion batteries have an energy density of around 250 to 300Wh/kg, with cycle life of about 5,000 cycles, and often limited to 80% charge to prolong lifespan. Donut Lab’s targets are a “blow to the industry” in every dimension.

Why is all-solid-state battery technology so difficult?

All-solid-state batteries replace traditional liquid or gel electrolytes with solid electrolytes. Theoretically, they can eliminate thermal runaway and fire risks, while providing longer range for the same weight or lighter batteries for the same range. These advantages have been touted for at least a decade, yet commercialization has always been delayed.

Looking at the industry’s timelines shows how challenging it is: Toyota initially planned mass production by 2020, but it has been pushed back repeatedly to 2027 or 2028; Samsung SDI aims for 2027; CATL is optimistic about small-scale production in 2027 and large-scale by 2030; Hyundai and Kia say not before 2030. Research firm BloombergNEF is more pessimistic, predicting that by 2035, all-solid-state batteries will only account for 10% of the global EV market.

Who is Donut Lab?

This company suddenly claiming “mass production immediately” has a solid background. It spun off from Verge Motorcycles, also from Finland, known for its sci-fi-inspired hubless rear wheel design.

By the end of 2024, Donut Lab will become an independent subsidiary of Verge, focusing on core electric vehicle technology platforms. At last year’s CES, they showcased the “Donut Motor” hub motor—circular, donut-shaped structure, directly integrated into the wheel, eliminating the entire transmission system. This motor has already been used in Verge’s production motorcycles and reportedly attracted discussions with over 200 vehicle manufacturers.

So, this is not just a PPT company; they do have vehicles on the road. But moving from motors to all-solid-state batteries is a whole different level of difficulty.

What about technical details? Still a mystery

This is the most perplexing part. Donut Lab claims their batteries use “abundant, affordable, geopolitically safe” materials, with system costs lower than lithium-ion batteries. But what electrolyte system exactly? Not disclosed. No third-party testing reports. No academic papers.

Their listed partners, besides WATT Electric Vehicles, are mostly newly established companies from recent months, with overlapping leadership with Donut/Verge, seeming to serve as self-endorsement.

Someone uncovered the CTO Ville Piippo’s master’s thesis from ten years ago, focused on modular motorcycle chassis design, with little relation to battery chemistry, raising doubts about the technical team’s expertise. Others found that Donut Lab acquired a nanomaterials research company called Nordic Nano last year—perhaps a breakthrough point, but currently all speculation.

Product validation gaps

The Verge TS Pro motorcycle’s battery specs are more feasible. Standard version: 20.2kWh, 350 km range; extended version: 33.3kWh, 595 km range. Officially claims that a 10-minute fast charge adds 300 km of range, supporting 200kW NACS fast charging.

This conflicts slightly with the “5-minute full charge” claim. Based on motorcycle battery specs, reaching near full charge in 10 minutes is plausible, but achieving maximum charging speed may require higher power chargers or smaller battery packs.

Pricing-wise, Verge says the base model TS Pro with all-solid-state batteries remains at $35,000, with no increase in cost. This logic is somewhat questionable—current estimates suggest all-solid-state batteries cost 5 to 10 times more than traditional lithium batteries. Whether Donut Lab has made a significant breakthrough in manufacturing, is initially accepting losses to gain market validation, or if their “all-solid-state” batteries are actually mixed with other materials, remains to be seen.

Several models claiming to have “solid-state” or “semi-solid-state” batteries are already on the Chinese market, but industry definitions vary. Some still contain small amounts of liquid components, between traditional and ideal states. Donut Lab repeatedly emphasizes “all-solid-state,” but without independent testing, the credibility of this label is uncertain.

The most direct validation method

Donut Lab has chosen the most “hardcore” approach: sell the bikes and test them in real-world conditions. They plan to produce 350 motorcycles in 2026, half sold in Europe, half in California.

The numbers are modest but enough to gather initial user feedback. Once delivered, competitors and independent testing agencies will disassemble, measure capacity, and observe cycle degradation. By the end of March 2026, the market will know whether their promises are genuine or exaggerated.

Why target motorcycles?

Electric motorcycles face similar pain points as electric cars but more intensely. Compact size and limited load capacity demand higher energy density. Most current electric motorcycles have a range of 100 to 200 km. If Donut Lab truly achieves 600 km range and 10-minute fast charging, electric motorcycles will no longer be just urban commuting tools.

Conversely, motorcycle battery packs are much smaller than car batteries, making them an ideal testing ground for new technologies. Starting with high-end, small-batch products for validation, then gradually expanding to cars, trucks, and energy storage—this is a practical and smart approach.

The global race for all-solid-state batteries

This competition is currently highly concentrated in East Asia and the US. According to BloombergNEF, 83% of global all-solid-state battery capacity plans are in China. Japan has Toyota, Nissan, Panasonic; South Korea has Samsung SDI, LG Energy Solution; the US has QuantumScape, Solid Power. Europe lags behind, but if Finnish Donut Lab can achieve early mass production, it could be a game-changer.

However, scaling from 350 motorcycles to thousands of cars is an entirely different challenge.

Beware of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”

Over the past decade, many “major breakthroughs” in battery technology have been announced, but few have actually reached mass production. There’s a saying in the industry: “sounds too good to be true.” Some have compiled over a dozen reasons why battery tech might fail—scaling issues, high costs, insufficient cycle life, slow charging, toxic materials, fire hazards. Donut Lab’s claims at least verbally address each of these concerns.

But there’s often a big gap between verbal assurances and real-world testing.

In three months, when the first Verge TS Pro owners start riding under California sun, their mileage logs, charging records, and battery health data will reveal the truth. Whether all-solid-state batteries are the future of the industry or just another “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” the answer is imminent.