Finnish Startup Donut Lab Unveils World's First Production-Ready All-Solid-State Battery at CES 2026

Las Vegas, January 8, 2026 – Finnish startup Donut Lab made waves at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas by announcing what it claims is the world's first all-solid-state battery ready for immediate mass production. The battery boasts an energy density of 400 Wh/kg, full charging in just five minutes, minimal capacity degradation after 100,000 cycles, and retention of 99% capacity in extreme temperatures ranging from -30°C to over 100°C. It also eliminates the risk of thermal runaway, enhancing safety.

The company's electric motorcycle equipped with this battery is slated for road deployment in the first quarter of 2026, offering a range of 350 kilometers on a single charge, with 10 minutes of charging providing 300 kilometers. An optional range-extender module could push the total range to 595 kilometers. Donut Lab CEO Lehti Mäki stated that the technology is fully prepared for production, though the exceptionally impressive specifications have sparked skepticism on social media. The company has not disclosed specific materials, only noting that they are abundant, reasonably priced, and result in lower costs compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Donut Lab's all-solid-state battery replaces liquid electrolytes with solid materials such as polymers, sulfides, or oxides, addressing key pain points in electric vehicles including range anxiety, charging times, and safety concerns. Conventional lithium-ion batteries typically achieve energy densities of 200-300 Wh/kg, endure 1,000-2,000 charge cycles, and reach 80% capacity in about 30 minutes, with risks of dendrite formation during fast charging that can compromise safety and longevity. In contrast, solid-state batteries eliminate flammable liquid electrolytes, prevent dendrite risks, and remain non-combustible even when damaged. They also support modular designs for customizable sizes, voltages, and shapes, facilitating integration into vehicle frames, drones, or chassis.

The company emphasized that while solid-state battery advantages are well-established, most competing technologies remain in laboratory or prototype phases. Donut Lab, however, has advanced directly to production-ready applications in vehicles. The electric motorcycle features a hubless motor design and delivers 300 kilometers of range after a 10-minute charge. CEO Mäki highlighted that commercialization is no longer a distant goal, with real-world deployment set for Q1 2026.

Social media users have questioned the credibility of the claims, citing the "too-perfect" data and the lack of detailed material disclosures, with the company only stating it avoids reliance on rare or sensitive elements. Practical challenges in solid-state battery commercialization persist, such as the need for complex environmental controls in sulfide-based production to prevent hydrogen sulfide gas, requiring entire facilities to be converted into dry rooms—at a cost higher than existing battery plants. In October 2025, Nissan announced a breakthrough in solid-state battery pilot production, aiming for mass production by 2028. Meanwhile, some manufacturers have introduced gel-like semi-solid-state batteries as transitional solutions.

Donut Lab's announcement represents a potential milestone in electric mobility, but its mass production viability and real-world performance will require further validation.