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Finnish Startup Claims First Production Solid-State Battery

Finnish Startup Claims First Production Solid-State Battery

Donut Lab announces what would be the holy grail of EV technology—decades ahead of industry giants

Overview

For three decades, solid-state batteries have been the promised revolution that never arrived—a technology that would double EV range, enable five-minute charging, and eliminate fire risks. Toyota has been working on it since 1990. QuantumScape raised billions. Fisker claimed breakthroughs then abandoned the effort. Now a 20-person Finnish startup called Donut Lab says it has done what none of them could: put production solid-state batteries on the road.

At CES 2026, Donut Lab announced that its all-solid-state battery—claiming 400 Wh/kg energy density, 100,000-cycle lifespan, and five-minute charging—is already being manufactured in Finland and will ship in Verge motorcycles by March 2026. If verified, this represents the first commercialized all-solid-state battery for vehicles, arriving one to four years ahead of Toyota, Samsung SDI, and every other major player. If not, it joins a long list of solid-state claims that collapsed under scrutiny.

Key Indicators

400
Wh/kg claimed energy density
Nearly double Tesla's current 4680 cells at 244-296 Wh/kg
5 min
claimed full charge time
Compared to 30+ minutes for conventional lithium-ion fast charging
100,000
claimed charge cycles
Conventional EV batteries typically rated for 1,000-2,000 cycles
36
years of industry R&D
Toyota began solid-state research in 1990; no commercial EV deployment until now

People Involved

ML
Marko Lehtimäki
CEO & Co-Founder, Donut Lab (Leading commercialization effort)
Risto Siilasmaa
Risto Siilasmaa
Board Member, Donut Lab; Anchor Investor (Active investor and advisor)

Organizations Involved

DO
Donut Lab
Technology Startup
Status: Claiming production-ready solid-state battery

Finnish EV technology company spun off from Verge Motorcycles, developing integrated motor, battery, and control systems.

VE
Verge Motorcycles
Electric Vehicle Manufacturer
Status: First production customer for Donut Lab batteries

Finnish electric motorcycle company known for hubless rear-wheel motor design, serving as launch partner for Donut Lab's solid-state battery.

NO
Nordic Nano Group
Nanotechnology Company
Status: Manufacturing partner; possible technology source

Finnish nanotechnology firm developing energy storage solutions; received investment from Donut Lab and may be involved in battery manufacturing.

Toyota Motor Corporation
Toyota Motor Corporation
Automaker
Status: Targeting 2027-2028 commercialization with Idemitsu

Japanese automaker with the longest solid-state battery R&D history (since 1990) and most patents in the field.

QuantumScape Corporation
QuantumScape Corporation
Battery Technology Startup
Status: Opening Eagle Line pilot facility February 2026

Silicon Valley solid-state battery startup backed by Volkswagen with over $300 million invested; has repeatedly delayed commercialization targets.

SA
Samsung SDI
Battery Manufacturer
Status: Targeting 2027 mass production

South Korean battery manufacturer partnering with BMW and Solid Power on solid-state development.

Timeline

  1. Donut Lab Announces Production Solid-State Battery

    Announcement

    At CES 2026, Donut Lab claims world's first production-ready all-solid-state battery with 400 Wh/kg, 5-minute charging, and 100,000-cycle life. Verge motorcycles with the battery available for order, Q1 2026 delivery.

  2. Donut Lab Invests in Nordic Nano

    Investment

    Donut Lab makes strategic investment in Nordic Nano Group; CEO Lehtimäki joins Nordic Nano board.

  3. Donut Lab Raises €25M

    Investment

    Donut Lab closes seed round with Risto Siilasmaa as anchor investor; former Nokia chairman joins board.

  4. Donut Motor Unveiled at CES 2025

    Announcement

    Donut Lab debuts in-wheel motor technology at CES, engaging over 200 OEMs in development discussions.

  5. Donut Lab Founded

    Corporate

    Marko Lehtimäki and team spin off from Verge Motorcycles to form Donut Lab, focusing on integrated EV technology.

  6. Samsung SDI Confirms 2027 Target

    Announcement

    Samsung SDI outlines production roadmap at InterBattery trade show, confirming 2027 mass production goal.

  7. Toyota-Idemitsu Partnership Announced

    Partnership

    Toyota and Idemitsu Kosan announce collaboration on sulfide solid electrolytes, targeting 2027-2028 commercialization.

  8. Samsung SDI Opens Pilot Line

    Production

    Samsung SDI starts Korea's first all-solid-state battery pilot line in Suwon.

  9. Fisker Abandons Solid-State Effort

    Corporate

    Henrik Fisker announces company has completely dropped solid-state battery development, calling commercial viability at least seven years away.

  10. QuantumScape Goes Public

    Corporate

    QuantumScape completes SPAC merger, reaching $20 billion valuation with no commercial product or revenue.

  11. VW Invests $100M in QuantumScape

    Investment

    Volkswagen makes major investment, with partnership targeting solid-state VWs by 2025.

  12. Verge Motorcycles Founded

    Corporate

    Finnish electric motorcycle company RMK Vehicle Corporation (later Verge) founded in Turku.

  13. Fisker Claims Solid-State Breakthrough

    Announcement

    Fisker files patents claiming solid-state batteries with 500-mile range and one-minute charging, targeting 2023 automotive readiness.

  14. QuantumScape Founded

    Corporate

    Stanford University scientists establish QuantumScape in San Jose to develop solid-state lithium-metal batteries.

  15. Toyota Begins Solid-State Research

    Research

    Toyota Motor Corporation initiates solid-state battery research program, beginning what would become the industry's longest development effort.

Scenarios

1

Verge Deliveries Validate Claims; Industry Scrambles

Discussed by: Proponents at Sustainable Times, tech journalist Tim Stevens

If Verge motorcycles with solid-state batteries ship in Q1 2026 and independent testing confirms even modest versions of the claimed specs, Donut Lab establishes first-mover credibility. Automotive OEMs currently waiting for Toyota/Samsung timelines face pressure to engage. The Finnish startup would have achieved what $300 million QuantumScape investments and 36 years of Toyota R&D could not. Third-party testing results expected within months would serve as the verification point.

2

Claims Collapse Under Scrutiny; Joins Failed Breakthrough List

Discussed by: Battery scientist Tom Boetticher on LinkedIn, The Autopian's Mercedes Streeter

Independent testing reveals the technology is either a quasi-solid-state variant (polymer+ rather than true all-solid-state), a supercapacitor hybrid, or performs substantially below claimed specs in real-world conditions. The pattern mirrors Fisker's 2017 claims that led to complete abandonment by 2021. Industry consensus timeline of 2027-2030 for mass commercialization remains intact. Key questions about undisclosed chemistry and the Nordic Nano connection remain unresolved.

3

Niche Success, Not Revolution

Discussed by: Chinese battery analysts at 36Kr, Battery Tech Online

The battery works but only for limited applications like electric motorcycles. Energy density and cycle life claims prove accurate at small scale but manufacturing cannot scale to automotive volumes at competitive cost. Donut Lab becomes a specialty supplier for premium low-volume EVs while Toyota, Samsung SDI, and Chinese manufacturers dominate mass-market deployment starting 2027-2028. The technology represents incremental progress rather than industry transformation.

4

Acquisition Target as Technology Validates

Discussed by: EU-Startups, investment observers

Initial deliveries demonstrate real capability. A major automaker or battery manufacturer acquires Donut Lab to accelerate their own solid-state roadmap rather than wait for internal development. The €25 million startup becomes a strategic asset worth hundreds of millions. Nordic Nano connection makes the entire Finnish cluster an acquisition target. Siilasmaa's involvement provides acquisition credibility and exit pathway.

Historical Context

Fisker Solid-State Claims (2017-2021)

November 2017 - March 2021

What Happened

Henrik Fisker announced a breakthrough solid-state battery with 500-mile range and one-minute charging, filing patents and projecting automotive readiness by 2023. The claims generated significant media coverage and investor interest. Co-founder Fabio Albano had previously co-founded Sakti3, a solid-state startup acquired by Dyson.

Outcome

Short Term

Fisker attracted investment and launched EV development based on conventional lithium-ion batteries instead.

Long Term

By March 2021, Fisker publicly abandoned solid-state development entirely, with Henrik Fisker stating commercialization was 'at least seven years out.' Fisker Inc. later filed for bankruptcy in June 2024.

Why It's Relevant Today

Donut Lab's claims parallel Fisker's almost exactly: breakthrough energy density, ultra-fast charging, imminent commercialization. The key difference is Donut Lab claims production vehicles will ship within weeks, creating an immediate verification point that Fisker never reached.

QuantumScape SPAC and Delays (2020-2026)

November 2020 - Present

What Happened

QuantumScape went public via SPAC at a $20 billion valuation despite having no commercial product or revenue. Volkswagen invested over $300 million based on 2018 partnership targeting solid-state VWs by 2025. CEO Jagdeep Singh presented ceramic separator technology with impressive lab results.

Outcome

Short Term

Stock price surged then collapsed as commercialization deadlines slipped. VW milestone payments were missed.

Long Term

By 2026, QuantumScape is opening a pilot facility and beginning field tests—still years from mass production. The company reported $105 million quarterly losses while the 2025 VW target passed without commercial deployment.

Why It's Relevant Today

QuantumScape illustrates how solid-state development often extends far beyond initial projections. The contrast with Donut Lab is stark: QuantumScape has raised billions and worked for 15+ years without commercial deployment; Donut Lab claims commercial production from a startup founded 18 months ago.

Toyota's Four-Decade Quest (1990-Present)

1990 - Present

What Happened

Toyota began solid-state battery research in 1990 and accumulated over 8,000 patents—more than any competitor. The company announced plans for solid-state vehicles by 2020 (missed due to COVID), then partnered with Idemitsu Kosan in 2023 targeting 2027-2028 commercialization. Claims of 450-500 Wh/kg energy density and 40-year battery life.

Outcome

Short Term

Toyota became the patent leader but failed to commercialize ahead of lithium-ion improvements.

Long Term

After 36 years, Toyota's solid-state batteries remain in development. The company now targets limited initial production in 2027-2028 with mass production around 2030.

Why It's Relevant Today

Toyota's timeline illustrates the technical difficulty: 36 years of research, thousands of engineers, and the world's largest patent portfolio have not yet produced a commercial product. Donut Lab claims to have solved these challenges with 20 engineers and 18 months of existence.

12 Sources:
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Donut Lab InsideEVs The Autopian Interesting Engineering Electronic Design Geeky Gadgets Electrek Toyota Global Newsroom Electrive EU-Startups Nordic Nano 36Kr