Finnish technology company Donut Lab is continuing its “I Donut Believe” campaign to demonstrate the viability of its solid-state battery technology. The latest installment in the series details the results of a special rapid-charging test conducted in collaboration with electric motorcycle manufacturer Verge Motorcycles, which plans to integrate the battery into its models. Unlike previous tests focusing on single-cell performance, this evaluation analyzes a complete battery pack under real-world conditions, adding a significant layer of interest.
The system tested was the air-cooled battery pack developed by Verge Motorcycles for the Verge TS Pro. The study aimed to observe the performance of the integrated cells within a functioning vehicle. According to the company, utilizing Donut Lab’s solid-state battery technology in a production vehicle could represent a significant advancement for the electric mobility sector.
Charging Times Under 10 Minutes
A key highlight of the test is the charging speed achieved by the system. The battery pack used in the trial has a nominal capacity of 18 kilowatt-hours, and the test demonstrates the ability to achieve recharge times of under ten minutes. While the results are already considered highly positive – with the battery charging approximately three times faster than the manufacturer’s previous generation – the company notes there is still room for improvement through future system optimizations.
“This is the first test we have published to a wider audience that demonstrates the performance and behaviour of multiple battery cells in a real vehicle environment,” said Ville Piippo, CTO at Donut Lab. “The high energy density of our battery technology enables flexible battery pack design and superior performance even in more challenging applications, such as motorcycles, where space is limited and system simplicity is key. We can offer vehicle manufacturers packs with different energy capacities in the same physical size, and even the smaller packs offer very high capacities.”
A Real-World Test Demonstrating Potential
During the trial, the motorcycle was connected to a public DC fast charger. The initial temperature of the battery pack at the start of the test was approximately 20°C. Under these conditions, the system maintained a peak charging power of over 100 kW – equivalent to a 5C rate – for five consecutive minutes. During that interval, the battery’s state of charge increased from 10% to 50%.
Overall results also reflect remarkably fast recharge times. The transition from 10% to 70% charge was achieved in just over nine minutes, while the increase from 10% to 80% was completed in approximately 12 minutes. These figures position Donut Lab’s system among the fastest currently being tested in the electric motorcycle sector.
Beyond charging speed, the system’s thermal simplicity is another notable feature. The battery pack used in the test is cooled solely by air, eliminating the need for more complex liquid cooling systems. This is particularly relevant for motorcycles, where available space is limited and weight reduction is even more critical than in a car.
“Our goal is to provide Verge riders with the best possible experience,” explained Tuomo Lehtimäki, CEO of Verge Motorcycles. “The advantages of Donut Lab’s battery technology, such as ultra-fast charging, integrate seamlessly with this goal. The world’s fastest-charging electric motorcycle, the Verge TS Pro, also features air cooling. The battery used in this test is our standard model, but a version with approximately two-thirds more energy capacity is also available.”
