Solid‑state claims meet skepticism

Donut Lab formally commissioned Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre to measure its cell properties in a Feb. 20, 2026 announcement, and VTT acknowledged running measurements in its lab. (vttresearch.com)) Donut Lab then published a series of VTT-backed reports and videos via its “I Donut Believe” hub, beginning with data released on Feb. 23, 2026. (donutlab.com)) VTT’s published results include a cell-level fast‑charge run reported as 0–80% in ~4.5 minutes at an ~11C rate under lab conditions, a finding that VTT and several outlets highlighted as validating ultrafast charge capability. (evxl.co)) Independent VTT test series also documented unusual high‑temperature behavior — including measured capacities above 100% at elevated temperatures in specific tests — which VTT and Donut Lab used to argue heat tolerance and safety benefits. (interestingengineering.com)) Donut Lab demonstrated the technology at pack level in a Verge TS Pro motorcycle—an 18 kWh pack that reportedly charged from about 10% to 80% in 12 minutes while sustaining >100 kW using air cooling—marking the company’s first published vehicle‑pack test. (electrek.co)) Despite the VTT releases, multiple industry observers note the reports do not publish independent measurements for Donut Lab’s stated energy‑density target or its long‑life cycle projection, and critics have repeatedly called for broader, third‑party verification. (electrek.co)) Donut Lab’s CEO Marko Lehtimäki framed the CES unveiling as production‑ready and said the cells would ship with Verge motorcycles, while the company launched video walkthroughs and pledged more third‑party data after social‑media accusations of fraud surfaced. (donutlab.com)) Chinese battery authority Ouyang Minggao cautioned that vehicle installations may begin around 2027 but estimated that solid‑state technologies could still take roughly five to ten years to reach even a 1% global market share. (carnewschina.com))