Date: 2026-01-08 hits: 103
At the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), while global tech giants focused on AI chips and smart devices, an unknown Finnish startup, DonutLab, unexpectedly stole the spotlight. The company announced the launch of the "world's first mass-producible all-solid-state battery," planning to initially equip it in Verge Motorcycles' TS Pro and Ultra electric motorcycles.
Even more astonishing were the performance figures they released: an energy density of 400 Wh/kg, a charging time of just 5 minutes, and a cycle life of up to 100,000 cycles. DonutLab claims that, based on an annual mileage of 60,000 kilometers, this battery could theoretically last for 1,000 years.
The Basic Concept and Market Hype of All-Solid-State Batteries
The fundamental difference between all-solid-state batteries and traditional lithium-ion batteries lies in the electrolyte. Traditional lithium batteries use liquid electrolytes, while all-solid-state batteries replace them with solid electrolytes. This not only eliminates the safety risks associated with flammable liquids but also provides the potential for increased energy density and cycle life.
Solid-state batteries are internationally recognized as the ultimate form of next-generation power batteries. They offer higher energy density, significantly improved safety, avoiding the risks of liquid electrolyte leakage and thermal runaway, and perform better in extreme environments.
Market expectations for all-solid-state batteries have been rising for some time. From new energy vehicles to low-altitude economy and humanoid robots, consumer demands for battery performance are constantly increasing. However, the energy density of traditional liquid lithium batteries is approaching its limit, making range and safety a "ceiling" for industry development.
However, the industrialization process of all-solid-state batteries is far more complex than imagined. Most industry giants, such as Toyota and CATL, have set their mass production timelines for all-solid-state batteries between 2027 and 2030. Donut Lab, as a startup company, announced delivery in the first quarter of 2026, a timeline far exceeding industry expectations.
Technical Feasibility Analysis of the "1000-Year Lifespan" Claim
The battery parameters announced by Donut Lab are indeed impressive: an energy density of 400 Wh/kg, representing an improvement of over 33% compared to current top-tier lithium-ion batteries, 5-minute fast charging capability, and a cycle life of 100,000 cycles.
Based on the practical application in Verge motorcycles, the long-range version can travel 600 kilometers on a single charge, theoretically achieving a total mileage of 60 million kilometers. This means that if driven 60,000 kilometers per year, the battery life could indeed reach 1000 years.
However, these data show a significant discrepancy with existing industry knowledge. Several experts point out that most research considers a cycle life of around 5,000 cycles for all-solid-state batteries to be a breakthrough, and 100,000 cycles far exceeds the theoretical limits of existing technology.
More importantly, Donut Lab has not disclosed the specific material system and production process of the battery. The core challenges in the mass production of solid-state batteries currently include the stability of electrolyte materials and the control of electrode interface impedance, and Donut Lab's solution lacks publicly available details.
Industry experts are cautious about this. Bai Lixiong, director of Minmetals New Energy Materials Co., Ltd., pointed out that all-solid-state batteries are still in their "infancy," and their safety performance under harsh conditions such as puncture and impact has not yet met expectations.
Confusion between Semi-Solid and All-Solid-State Batteries
Behind Donut Lab's high-profile announcement of mass production of all-solid-state batteries lies a long-standing conceptual confusion in the industry. In recent years, some companies have packaged mass-produced semi-solid-state batteries as solid-state batteries for marketing purposes to attract attention.
According to the "Determination Method for All-Solid-State Batteries" issued by the China Society of Automotive Engineers, "all-solid-state batteries" must use entirely solid electrolytes and contain no liquid components. Semi-solid-state batteries, on the other hand, are a mixture of solid and liquid electrolytes, with the liquid electrolyte usually accounting for 5% to 10%.
Industry regulators are preparing to issue new documents to uniformly name "semi-solid-state batteries" as "solid-liquid batteries" in order to standardize market promotion and reduce misleading information.
Regarding the "all-solid-state battery" claimed by Donut Lab, its specific technical details have not been disclosed, making it impossible to determine whether it falls into the category of all-solid-state or semi-solid-state batteries. This vagueness regarding technical details further fueled market skepticism about the veracity of their claims.
Core Technological Challenges in the Commercialization of Solid-State Batteries
Even if DonutLab's technical specifications are accurate, the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries still faces multiple challenges. Material-level difficulties are the primary obstacle. Sulfide electrolytes have poor chemical and air stability, making mass production difficult.
Interface problems are considered the most critical technological bottleneck for all-solid-state batteries. In liquid batteries, the flowing electrolyte can fully surround the electrode materials, allowing for unimpeded ion transport. However, in solid-state batteries, the electrolyte and electrodes are like hard "rocks," with countless tiny gaps at the contact surface.
Manufacturing processes and equipment also present significant challenges. The production lines for all-solid-state batteries are less than 50% compatible with existing liquid battery production lines, requiring entirely new dry electrode and isostatic pressing equipment, resulting in huge investment.
Cost issues are equally significant. Industry estimates suggest that solid-state batteries cost more than five times that of traditional liquid batteries. Currently, the cost of all-solid-state batteries is approximately $400-800 per kilowatt-hour, 3-5 times that of liquid batteries.
These technological bottlenecks directly drive up costs and limit mass production capabilities.
Summary
From the overall progress of the industry, all-solid-state batteries may only achieve small-scale demonstration applications by 2027 and gradually enter the market after 2030. The industry generally remains cautious about Donut Lab's claim of delivering "all-solid-state batteries" in the first quarter of 2026.
