A Sci-fi engine has been turned on and the results are worth looking into. With the political support for electric vehicles (EV) fading and with less people buying into the EV trend, it seems like the EV industry in its entirety is facing turmoil. While environmental concerns keep pressing, a Finnish Company called Donut Lab has sparked a flame of hope proving it can be effective in addressing environmental issues. Donut Lab is raising the bar with their offering of a donut-shaped, in-wheel motor capable of delivering 845 horsepower (630 kW), weighing just 88 pounds, and using no rare-earth materials. After nearly a decade of development, this Sci-fi engine has become a reality, and the donut-shaped engine is the subject of discussion everywhere.
Donut-shaped and ensuring real world results
At Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025, Donut Lab unveiled its performance driven motor family and its rather striking departure from electric drivetrains was clear to spectators. One of the highlights that caught people’s attention is the fact that that Donut’s motor can be found inside the wheel hub itself. This is different from most EVs that utilize individual-wheel drive (IWD) systems loaded with inboard motors and complex mechanical linkages. The company’s flagship motor was designed specifically for 21-inch car wheels and is able to produce 4,300 Nm of torque and 845 HP, competing with the best of the best.
The real wonder when it comes to this Donut-shaped motor is how it is able to achieve what it does. Being built from cost-effective material and making use of no rare earth magnets, the donut-motor is impressive. As stated by Donut Lab’s Chief Product Officer Ville Piippo, “We created in-wheel motors that have both the highest torque density and the highest power density of any electric motor in the world.”
Most other in-wheel or inboard motors are unable to compete with the donut-shaped motor in terms of efficiency and performance, but what this donut motor promises are lower operating costs, limited energy wastage, and a longer driving range.
A solution to a challenge faced by in-wheel motors
Donut Lab was able to face up to the challenge experienced by many in-wheel motors and handle the issue of unsprung mass. Unsprung mass refers to the weight of components not being able to be supported by the car’s suspension thus affecting the overall quality of the ride. As per this challenge, the more unsprung weight added, the less equipped the vehicle becomes for performance.
When it comes to Donut Lab, the car motor weighs a shocking 88 pounds. According to the CEO, Marko Lehtimäki, due to the weight of the Donut motor being relatively small, the issue of unsprung mass becomes insignificant.
The way this donut-shaped in-wheel design is eliminates all heavy drivetrain components including gearboxes and drive shafts minimizing the overall vehicle weight too. The design itself means less cost is incurred during manufacturing and it signifies smoother sailing on the road. Finland surely is throwing its weight around with this ring-shaped engine, however, without any unsprung weight being added on.
Donut Lab introducing a platform for all vehicles
Donut Lab is not just working on making motors, Donut Lab seems to be building a platform. With car motors, they are looking at creating four other models: a 268 HP truck motor, a 201 HP motorcycle motor, a 20 HP scooter motor, and even a 4 HP drone motor. Every motor will work hand in hand with Donut components such as software and battery packs.
Thus far, the Verge TS Pro motorcycle which is driven on roads makes use of one of these Donut motors and the reviews have been nothing short of amazing. The company is not sitting back and enjoying the ride just as yet, the company is liaising with automotive manufacturers and are hinting at the fact that this technology may soon appear in commercial EVs.
Donut Lab is perhaps unlocking the possibility of high-performance EVs that are affordable. Perhaps these donut-shaped engines are the future.
