Donut Lab battery hits 80% in 4.5 minutes amid ‘scam’ claims

Finland-based startup Donut Lab has addressed widespread skepticism and industry criticism regarding its claims of a production-ready solid-state battery capable of ultra-fast charging. After accusations of the technology being a “scam,” Donut Lab commissioned independent testing by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The tests, conducted under extreme conditions without active temperature controls, demonstrated that the battery could reach 80% charge in as little as 4.5 minutes at an 11C charging rate and achieve full capacity in just over seven minutes, retaining nearly all stored energy after discharge. These results support Donut Lab’s earlier claims of rapid charging speeds without the need for active cooling or unusual pressure on the cells. Donut Lab’s battery design emphasizes simplicity and passive cooling, potentially reducing the complexity, weight, and cost of electric vehicle (EV) battery packs compared to traditional lithium-ion cells that require elaborate cooling and structural support. Although the tests focused on single cells and did not assess performance within a complete battery pack,