Donut Lab’s solid-state battery aces the self-discharge test in a major way

When it comes to the next giant leap for electric vehicles, the industry has long had its sights set on solid-state batteries. Now, Donut Lab, in partnership with Finland's VTT Technical Research Centre, has taken a huge, concrete step towards making that future a reality. Test results released in early March are nothing short of impressive: Donut Lab's battery looks set to revolutionise how we think about energy storage.

The self-discharge problem? Now, it’s history.

A major unknown with solid-state technology has been its long-term behaviour, particularly when it comes to self-discharge. Traditional lithium-ion batteries slowly lose their charge over time, even when your car is just sitting in the garage. In tests conducted by Donut Lab and VTT, the battery was left idle for several weeks. The result speaks for itself: practically no discharge occurred. This means an electric car could sit in an airport carpark for a month and still be ready to go with a full charge.

This isn't just a theoretical curiosity observed in a lab. Donut Lab has built its test unit as scalable technology, and VTT's independent measurements back up the numbers. We are now looking at the first solid-state battery that not only works, but performs exactly as it should.

What does this mean for EV drivers?

When we talk about a breakthrough, it's worth looking at the tangible benefits. Donut Lab's solution isn't just a promise; it delivers at least these key advantages:

• Extremely low self-discharge: Your car is always ready to roll, even if you haven't driven it for weeks.
• Longer lifespan: The solid-state construction can handle significantly more charge cycles than current batteries.
• Safety: A solid electrolyte eliminates the fire risk associated with liquid electrolytes.
• Energy density: Much more energy can be stored in the same amount of space – think lighter cars and longer driving ranges.

These aren't just future concepts anymore. With Donut Lab's test results, they are very concrete facts.

VTT's involvement is no coincidence

Finnish know-how has been central to this development. The measurements carried out in VTT's labs are world-class, and their findings will certainly stand up to scrutiny from international car manufacturers. Donut Lab has chosen its partners wisely – research conducted in Finland is renowned for its integrity and precision. This lends serious credibility to claims that the industry has perhaps become a little too used to hearing.

The test results have been meticulously documented and are openly available for industry players to evaluate. That's a sign that Donut Lab isn't afraid of a critical eye – quite the opposite. They want to prove that their technology is ready to move from prototypes to production.

What's the timeline looking like?

Donut Lab representatives have consistently stated that mass production is no longer years away. If the tests continue to go as planned, we could see the first solid-state batteries suitable for mass production hitting the market within the next few years. This would mean a revolution, not just for the car industry, but also for things like heavy machinery, ships, and air travel. But above all, it means the day-to-day reality of owning an electric vehicle is about to get a whole lot easier.

With this test, Donut Lab has shown it's not just another battery start-up. The collaboration with VTT and the published results on self-discharge set a new benchmark for the entire industry. Now, the question is: who will be the first to grab this opportunity and take the technology to the next level?