Finland's Donut Motor: Redefining EV Propulsion and Bypassing Hydrogen
Key Ideas
- Donut Lab's ring-shaped Donut Motor, with impressive power-to-weight ratio, challenges traditional EV setups and promises enhanced performance and efficiency.
- The motor's versatility extends to various sectors, including motorcycles, semi trucks, and drones, showcasing its adaptability and impact on different vehicle types.
- By prioritizing compact power and cost-effectiveness over relying on hydrogen, Finland's Donut Lab aims to revolutionize electric propulsion and lead the way in EV innovation.
- Despite slow hydrogen adoption, Donut Lab's disruptive approach signals a potential shift in the automotive industry towards embracing innovative electric motor technology.
At the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Finnish startup Donut Lab unveiled its groundbreaking electric motor, the Donut Motor, challenging the industry's reliance on hydrogen for clean transport solutions. The ring-shaped motor boasts an impressive power output of 845 horsepower and 3,171 lb-ft of torque, all while weighing just 88 pounds, setting a new standard for performance and efficiency in electric propulsion. With a focus on in-wheel placement to reduce weight and enhance agility, the Donut Motor offers a compelling alternative to traditional EV setups.
Donut Lab's innovative motor design extends beyond cars to cater to a wide range of vehicles, including motorcycles, semi trucks, and drones. By prioritizing compact power and cost-effectiveness, the company aims to revolutionize electric propulsion without depending on hydrogen, addressing the challenges of high production costs and infrastructure gaps associated with hydrogen adoption. Despite the industry's slow progress in hydrogen integration, Donut Lab's disruptive approach signals a promising shift towards embracing advanced electric motor technology for sustainable transport solutions.
Through its versatile range of motor sizes, from a 5-inch version for drones to a 21-inch model for semi trucks, Donut Lab demonstrates a commitment to electrifying every vehicle type. By emphasizing immediate improvements in performance and efficiency, Finland's Donut Lab stands at the forefront of EV innovation, offering a compelling alternative to conventional internal combustion engines and traditional EV motors. As the automotive industry witnesses the potential of the Donut Motor, there is anticipation for a radical transformation in vehicle propulsion, positioning Finland as a leader in shaping the future of electric mobility.