Donut Lab, a subsidiary of Finland’s Verge Bikes, asserts it has developed the world’s highest energy density motor of its form. At CES 2025, the corporate launched its revolutionary donut-shaped motors, designed for integration with car wheels and tires. Whereas this strategy provides unsprung mass—which might complicate trip and dealing with tuning—Donut Lab claims to mitigate this problem via the light-weight nature of its motors.
The corporate intends to supply a various lineup of 5 motors tailor-made for varied purposes. Amongst these is a 21-inch-diameter automotive motor able to delivering 844 horsepower and three,171 pound-feet of torque, albeit weighing 88 kilos, which nonetheless represents vital unsprung mass. Moreover, Donut Lab has a variant designed for semi vehicles, which additionally measures 21 inches and weighs the identical however outputs 268 horsepower and a pair of,212 lb-ft of torque.
When it comes to smaller motors, a 17-inch motorbike model weighs 46 kilos and gives 201 horsepower with 885 lb-ft of torque, whereas a 12-inch scooter motor tipping the scales at 17 kilos offers 20 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque. The corporate even produces a compact 4.7-inch motor aimed toward drones, producing 4 horsepower and 14 lb-ft of torque.
By maximizing energy output from extra compact designs, Donut Lab goals to cut back electrical car manufacturing prices by using much less materials. To facilitate this, the corporate is offering these motors as a part of a complete platform that features battery packs, management items, and software program, though particulars on effectivity stay unconfirmed.
Whereas in-wheel motors should not a brand new idea—with producers like Porsche and Ferrari having explored this know-how for over a century—commercialization efforts have produced blended outcomes. Presently, in-wheel motors are employed in at the least one sedan focused on the Chinese language market. In the meantime, startups corresponding to Lightyear and Lordstown Motors have confronted challenges in bringing these motors to the U.S. market. Aptera as soon as considered in-wheel motors as a method to boost the effectivity of its electrical three-wheeler.
For reference, the lightest standard motors in a manufacturing electrical car belong to Lucid, every weighing roughly 68 kilos, with their core propulsion know-how set to function in upcoming Aston Martin electrical fashions.
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