Finland is throwing its weight around due to its ability to adopt a more radical approach when it comes to electric motors. It was at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that Donut Lab, a Finnish startup, put forward their high-voltage surprise set to redefine electric propulsion. Donut Lab’s motor surprise shows that Finland is tired of waiting for hydrogen to deliver on its promises. Donut Lab is taking matters into its own hands. The Donut Lab’s creation is created with performance and efficiency in mind, so the question is whether this innovation could outclass traditional EV setups, readjusting what we think is necessary for all EVs.
Not just another electric motor: It’s ring-shaped
The Donut Motor is a ring-shaped, in-wheel marvel, capable of producing a staggering 845 horsepower and 3,171 lb-ft of torque, all from a package weighing just 88 pounds. Donut Lab’s motor is not another electric motor, but an entire reworking of the electric motor from an engineering perspective. On offer is less weight, limited moving parts, and reduced production costs, especially when scaled for mass manufacturing. Despite having a diameter of 21 inches, the top-end model of the Donut Motor is surprisingly compact considering its muscle.
Donut Lab said that the motor’s torque and horsepower outputs are measured at the wheel, making them more impactful than engine torque from combustion engines. Due to in-wheel placement reducing weight, a quality ride is enabled. Cars with this setup could be more agile.
Making a mark in more than one sector
While Donut Lab’s motor is something to marvel at, Donut Lab is not restricted to one sector only. The company is known for having introduced a range of motor sizes made for all types of vehicles. Donut Lab caters to semi trucks and drones, too. Verge Motorcycles (a Finnish firm affiliated with Donut Lab) uses a 17-inch, 201-hp version weighing just 37 pounds for their motorcycles. The beautiful part is that Verge’s TS Ultra electric bike, which is powered by this motor, hits 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds, showing how versatile the tech can be.
Donut Lab is set to work on smaller models, too. At preview revealed a 12-inch motor for light-duty applications and a miniature 5-inch version, particularly for drones. The smallest is said to weigh just 3,3 pounds and can produce around four horsepower, significant for lightweight robotics.
From small to large, Donut Lab is enthusiastic to engineer a 21-inch, 268-hp motor for semi trucks capable of producing more than 2,200 lb-ft of torque. The idea at Donut Lab is to electrify every type of vehicle without relying on hydrogen. Donut Lab realizes that the need for hydrogen is so strong, humans are even resorting to turning hydrogen black.
Tasting a future without hydrogen
Although hydrogen is integral to the future of clean transport, real-world adoption has been nothing less than painfully slow. Due to high costs associated with hydrogen production, infrastructure gaps, and energy inefficiencies, Donut Lab is holding off from relying too heavily on hydrogen.
Donut Lab is focused on making EVs radically better immediately by displacing internal combustion or even traditional EV motors with an equally satisfying alternative. Thus far, the weight-to-power ratio overpowers nearly anything on the market, including the high-performance Koenigsegg Quark.
Now Finland is taking the lead in terms of EV innovation by utilizing more compact power to cut costs, boost efficiency, and expand on application possibilities. Thus far, no key automakers have officialized their plans to adopt the Donut Motor. However, should real-world testing of this Donut Motor go well, there could be a radical shift. With Finland’s donut-shaped solution taking the crown and the wheel, Donut Lab can deliver on its promise to engineer the most promising EVs yet.
