The electrical vehicle takeover of the automobile industry is consistently accelerating each year. With new advancements from companies like electrical vehicle giant Tesla, automobile industries are improving alternative engine solutions at a rapid rate. The Finnish electric vehicle technology company Donut Lab Motors has introduced a revolutionary in-wheel electric motor with an amazing 845 horsepower (hp) in a small, ring-shaped package. In addition to its remarkable power, this new motor is incredibly light and efficient, and it has the potential to completely change the direction of electric vehicles in the future.
A new era for power and torque density in electric vehicles
Donut Lab Motors has introduced a new in-wheel motor which showcases how innovation in electric motor technology is improving by the year. The new motor has a power output of 845bhp and 3,172 lb-ft of torque (though the latter is the rotor output, not the true output). This new electric motor is designed for a 21-inch “Automotive” spec, weighing in at just 40 kilograms. The new donut motors, according to Donut Lab, are “the most advanced, powerful, and versatile in-wheel motors ever created.”
Donut Lab CEO Mark Lehtimaki said: “Great unsprung mass has been the most important reason why everyone hasn’t used motors integrated with the tyre in their vehicles. Through the torque and power density we’ve now achieved, the relative weight of the motor is so small that the unsprung mass is insignificant.”
Lehtimaki also explained how the development of the new electric in-wheel motor is a gamechanger for the industry: “We want to set a new standard for what electric transportation can achieve. The Donut platform creates entirely new opportunities for almost any industry.” Lehtimaki started Donut Lab Motors in response to the difficulty and slow pace it takes to build electrical vehicles using traditional mechanisms.
More affordable vehicles to manufacture
What makes the design by Donut Lab Motors so innovative is how the donut-shaped motor combines both maximum torque and power density all within a lightweight design. The motor is installed directly into the wheel, which makes electric vehicles more affordable and straightforward to manufacture and produce. A large reason why electric vehicles are not more popular is due to them being largely expensive vehicles.
Early this year, the electric startup released the first batch of its all-electric motors at the annual CES 2025 show in January. These motors formed part of a family of five donut motors. With their streamlined and futuristic design, Donut Lab improves the overall performance of an electric vehicle while reducing the resource requirements by up to 95%.
“After a long wait, we finally get to present the next-generation version of the most important component of our technology platform. Its performance capability is out of this world,” said Lehtimaki. “Our donut motor has now also expanded into an entire motor family, which includes size options and performance classes for various uses.”
Electric vehicles: A gateway to a greener future
Electric vehicles have long been the most favored alternative engine solution over the internal combustion engine. While there has been increased development behind other alternative engine solutions such as hydrogen and biofuel engines, the electric engine still holds its position as the most favored green solution. While diversifying engine solutions is important for consumer choice, many experts believe that electric engines are the best shot at convincing consumers of private vehicles to make the switch,
To move towards a greener future, the transportation industry is recognizing the push which is needed by key players in order for others to follow suite. With more startups like Donut Lab Motors putting increased pressure on major automobile companies to level up to the competition, demand for electric vehicles is sure to increase as companies come up with engine solutions to please all consumers, no matter your price range.
