Donut Drops First Test Video — Rapid Charging Under the Microscope
- Buck City Biker
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Donut has released the first independent test results video from its solid-state validation program — and they’ve gone straight for one of the biggest pressure points in electric motorcycles: rapid charging.
The testing was conducted by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, with Donut publishing full lab documentation alongside the video evidence. No teaser graphics. Minimal marketing. Just instrumentation, charge curves, and measured data.
If you prefer the deep dive over the headlines, the full technical PDF is waiting at the bottom.
Key Takeaways from the Rapid Charging Test
Full charge time shown on camera – VTT measured the Donut cell charging extremely fast; in some runs 0–80% in ~4.5 minutes, with a full 0–100% taking just over 7 minutes in a passive setup.
High C-rate performance – The video shows charging rates up to around 11C — far above typical Li-ion charging standards (1–3C).
No active cooling – Tests were done with passive thermal management (just metal plates) and no active cooling system, yet the battery stayed within safety bounds in the best setups.
Measured capacity retention – In earlier announcements and press material, Donut claims near-100% retained capacity after rapid charging, consistent with what VTT data suggests for this first test.
Thermal behaviour monitored – The test logs show temperatures rising but not breaching critical thresholds when thermal contact was improved.
Cell-level vs. pack-level caveat – Donut and VTT both note this is cell-level testing; real pack architecture may behave differently.
Context on industry claims – Donut’s broader battery claims (400 Wh/kg energy density, ~5 min charge, 100,000 cycles) were part of the original specs and ongoing independent evaluation context — though this video focuses on rapid charging. As they reease more research we'll be following closely.
Watch the Video
Read the full technical PDF here:
The BCB Take
Rapid charging is where a lot of next-gen battery claims start to wobble. Heat, stress, degradation — this is where theory meets reality.
This first release doesn’t answer everything. Cycle life under repeated fast charging, long-term degradation, pack-level integration — those tests are still to come.
Donut says more technical data will land in the coming days, and we’ll be there to separate signal from noise. But if these rapid-charge numbers hold under continued scrutiny, Donut just moved the conversation forward again.
Ride safe, folks.
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