Las Vegas, NV – After years of tantalizing promises and near-future projections, Donut Lab claims to have broken the solid-state battery barrier. At CES 2026, the company announced that its all-solid-state battery technology is not only ready, but is currently in production and shipping in the Virch TS Pro electric motorcycle, potentially disrupting the electric vehicle (EV) landscape. Marco, representing Donut Lab, shared details of this development in an interview, highlighting performance and production capabilities.

The allure of solid-state batteries has long captivated the automotive and energy storage industries. Traditional lithium-ion batteries, while ubiquitous, suffer from limitations in energy density, safety (due to flammable liquid electrolytes), and charging speed. Solid-state batteries, replacing the liquid electrolyte with a solid material, promise to address these shortcomings, offering the potential for increased energy density, faster charging, and enhanced safety.

However, the path to commercializing solid-state battery technology has been fraught with challenges. Manufacturing complexities, material costs, and performance issues have consistently pushed back projected release dates. Many industry analysts predicted that widespread solid-state battery adoption was still years away, with 2027 and beyond commonly cited.

Donut Lab's announcement, therefore, stands as a potentially significant turning point. According to Marco, their solid-state battery overcomes many of the hurdles that have plagued previous attempts. He claimed that unlike other solid-state battery announcements that involve compromises, such as fast charging at the expense of lifespan or vice versa, Donut Lab’s battery offers a compelling combination of key performance metrics.

"We combine all the potential promises of solid state battery into one," Marco stated. These promises, he elaborated, include:

  • Fast Charging: An impressive 11C charge rate, translating to a zero-to-full charge in as little as five minutes.
  • Long Lifespan: 100,000 cycles, purportedly more than ten times the lifespan of existing battery technologies.
  • Wide Temperature Range: Minimal performance degradation within a wide operating temperature range, from -30 to +100 degrees Celsius, with 99% capacity retention.
  • High Energy Density: 400 watt-hours per kilogram, potentially doubling the range of EVs compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries, depending on the application.
  • Sustainable Materials: Constructed from “100% green materials” that are abundantly available and not subject to geopolitical constraints. The specific materials are not being disclosed at this time due to pending patents.
  • Competitive Pricing: Marco asserted that, from day one, Donut Lab’s solid-state batteries are available at prices lower than lithium-ion batteries, partially due to the green materials and other innovations. This claim, if verified, would be a game-changer, as cost has been a major barrier to the widespread adoption of advanced battery technologies.

The availability of the Virch TS Pro motorcycle with Donut Lab batteries provides tangible evidence of these claims. Virch Motorcycles' decision to partner with Donut Lab and integrate this battery technology into a production vehicle lends credence to the announcement. However, independent verification of Donut Lab's performance claims will be critical to establishing the credibility of this breakthrough.

A crucial aspect of any battery technology is the manufacturing capacity to meet market demand. Marco stated that Donut Lab currently possesses gigawatt-hour level capacity. He further outlined an aggressive expansion plan, aiming to exceed 10 gigawatt-hours of capacity by 2027. Notably, Donut Lab is pursuing a “micro factory model” for battery production, allowing for relatively rapid scaling.

"If you are a big OEM and you tell us that you need 10 gigawatt hour, worth of batteries, to into your vehicles, we tell you give us twelve months and we'll have that production capacity as dedicated capacity for you," Marco explained. This decentralized approach contrasts with the massive, centralized gigafactories often associated with battery manufacturing.

Another key strategic decision revolves around licensing the technology. Marco confirmed that Donut Lab currently intends to retain full control over its solid-state battery technology, similar to its approach with electric motors. This suggests that Donut Lab aims to be a direct supplier of batteries rather than licensing its intellectual property to other manufacturers.

While the announcement from Donut Lab is undoubtedly exciting, several questions remain. Independent testing and validation of the battery’s performance claims are crucial. Further transparency regarding the specific materials used in the battery and the details of the micro-factory manufacturing process would also be beneficial. Furthermore, the long-term durability and reliability of the solid-state battery in real-world applications will need to be assessed over time.

Nevertheless, Donut Lab's claim of having a production-ready solid-state battery shipping in vehicles today marks a potential watershed moment in the advancement of battery technology. If the performance and cost advantages claimed by Donut Lab hold true under scrutiny, their technology could significantly accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and reshape the energy storage landscape. The industry will be watching closely to see if Donut Lab can deliver on its ambitious promises and sustain its lead in the race to solid-state battery commercialization. This could mark the end of lithium-ion dominance and the beginning of a new era in battery technology.