The long promised leap from conventional lithium ion cells to solid state batteries has finally arrived in a production electric vehicle, and the numbers are startling. A compact pack developed in Finland now delivers an energy density that is close to twice that of some Tesla packs, while also promising ultra fast charging and dramatically longer life. If the claims hold up on real roads, the technology could reset expectations for how far and how quickly an EV can travel on a single charge.
Instead of a distant lab prototype, this solid state unit is already riding in a road legal machine, turning a long running engineering ambition into something buyers can actually order. I see it as a pivotal moment, not just for electric cars and motorcycles, but for every battery powered device that depends on squeezing more watt hours into less space without sacrificing safety.
From Finnish lab to first production solid state pack
The breakthrough traces back to a small European country that has quietly become a battery powerhouse. Reports describe how Finland has produced what is described as the first mass produced solid state battery with a cycle life of 100,000 times and an energy density of 400 Wh/kg, a figure that immediately puts it in a different league from today’s mainstream EV cells. That same reporting notes that the pack can be fully charged in minutes rather than hours, which is central to its appeal for drivers who are used to the convenience of refueling with gasoline.
The company behind the cell is a Finnish electric mobility technology startup called Donut Lab, which, according to detailed coverage, took the lead in releasing solid state batteries for vehicles on January 6. In its own materials, Donut Lab frames the cell as a foundational technology for a new generation of electric machines rather than a one off demo. That positioning matters, because it signals an intent to scale production and license the chemistry into everything from vehicles to stationary storage, not just to chase headlines at a trade show.
What “almost double a Tesla” really means
The headline grabbing comparison to Tesla comes down to raw energy density. Donut Lab’s design is repeatedly cited at 400 watt hours per kilogram, while many current EV packs, including some Tesla units, are reported in the range of roughly 250 to 300 Wh/kg. One analysis of groundbreaking new battery explicitly frames this gap as “almost double” the charge per kilogram compared with those existing packs, which is where the comparison in the headline finds its footing.
That jump is not just a spec sheet curiosity, it translates directly into either more range for the same battery weight or a lighter vehicle for the same range. Technical commentary on solid state cells notes that omitting the liquid electrolyte of modern lithium ion cells not only improves safety but also opens the door to that 400 Wh/kg density, which is a key reason performance focused brands are watching the technology so closely. In practice, a pack that stores nearly twice as much energy in the same mass can shrink the battery footprint in a sports car or extend the highway range of a family crossover without adding weight.
Five minute charging and a claimed 100,000 cycle life
Energy density is only part of the story, because Donut Lab is also staking its reputation on charging speed and durability. Coverage of the company’s CES presence describes how Donut Lab unveiled a production ready solid state EV battery that can recharge fully in about five minutes, a figure that would put it in the same convenience bracket as a quick fuel stop. A separate technical deep dive on the same chemistry refers to a 400 Wh/kg solid state sodium ion battery that is mass produced and capable of five minute charging, underscoring how aggressive these performance targets are.
Longevity claims are equally bold. The report that credits Finland with the first mass produced solid state battery specifies a cycle life of 100,000 full charges and discharges, a figure that, if validated, would far exceed the usable life of most vehicles. Another analysis of these Extraordinary claims stresses that such numbers demand rigorous independent testing, but also notes that the underlying engineering discipline does not violate known physics. From a consumer perspective, a pack that can be fast charged thousands of times with minimal degradation would effectively remove battery wear as a reason to retire an EV.
Already in a production EV, not just a lab demo
What sets this story apart from previous solid state announcements is that the battery is already on sale in a road going machine. Detailed coverage of This Phone sized solid state unit explains that it is already powering a Production EV, with Donut Labs and partner Verge Motorcycles claiming they have moved the technology out of the prototype phase. Another report describes how Donut Lab, headquartered in Helsinki and described as The Finnish tech company, has integrated the pack into a high performance electric bike made by Verge Motorcycles, turning the motorcycle into a rolling showcase for the chemistry.
For American buyers, the significance is spelled out in coverage that calls the Verge model “First EV With State Batteries You will Able To Buy, underlining that this is not a Europe only experiment. That same discussion frames solid state as the long promised “holy grail” battery technology, a phrase that captures how long engineers have been chasing a commercially viable version of what Donut Lab now says it is shipping.
Inside Donut Lab’s CES pitch and the skepticism around it
At CES, the company leaned hard into the idea that it is not just another battery startup. In its own announcement, DONUT LAB INTRODUCES THE FUTURE of ELECTRIFICATION by presenting what it calls the world’s first all solid state battery ready to power up production vehicles such as the Verge TS Pro and Ultra. A separate event focused release, accessible through CES, reinforces that message by highlighting the pack’s readiness for series production rather than limited pilot runs.
Outside observers have been quick to balance excitement with caution. A widely shared video analysis, linked through Extraordinary, stresses that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence and calls for independent validation of the 400 Wh/kg, five minute charging and long cycle life figures. Social media coverage that notes Donut Lab claims it has created the world’s first production ready all solid state battery echoes that mix of optimism and scrutiny. I see that tension as healthy, because it pushes the company to back up its marketing with data while still recognizing the genuine engineering progress that has already put a solid state pack on the road.
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