Estonian manufacturer Verge Motorcycles, in collaboration with Finnish startup Donut Lab, had announced what they claimed to be the world’s first production-ready all-solid-state battery at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. Initially, the companies stated that deliveries of the Verge Motorcycles TS Pro model, featuring Donut Lab’s solid-state battery, would commence in the first quarter of the year, setting a deadline of March 31. However, the delivery timeline for new orders has reportedly been extended to the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the Verge Motorcycles website.
Timeline Adjustments and Clarifications
The initial reports of a potential delay stemmed from a Finnish newspaper, Kauppalehti, which quoted Verge Motorcycles CEO Tuomo Lehtimäki stating, “Orders currently go well into 2027.” He further indicated that delivery times might be shorter in specific countries like Finland and Estonia, with deliveries to these regions potentially taking place by the end of 2026.
Addressing the situation, Tuomo Lehtimäki clarified to InsideEVs, “First orders received last year for Verge Motorcycles will start in Q1 as previously mentioned. New U.S. orders received now can expect a bike delivery in Q4. To clarify, when anyone is ordering a bike now, that bike is landing at Q4 2026 if they are making the order today. There is a queue and orders made last year will be delivered first. Verge Motorcycles deliveries will start in late March and bikes ordered now will be delivered later this year as planned.”
This suggests that the extended timeline primarily affects new orders placed currently, while existing orders from last year are expected to proceed as originally planned, with deliveries beginning by the end of the first quarter.
Solid-State Battery Technology and Skepticism
Donut Lab claims its solid-state battery boasts an energy density of 400 watt hours per kilogram, approximately double that of current lithium-ion packs. The company also states the battery can charge in just five minutes, withstand 100,000 cycles, is fireproof, and does not use rare earth materials, thus avoiding geopolitical supply chain concerns. Despite these ambitious claims, industry experts remain highly skeptical, with some major battery manufacturers in China reportedly refuting Donut Lab’s assertions.
Certification Hurdles and Production Estimates
The Verge Motorcycles TS Pro, along with its advanced battery technology, must undergo stringent safety certification processes in both the EU and the U.S. before it can be sold. In Europe, this involves the Whole Vehicle Type Approval process, ensuring compliance with EU safety and design standards. For the U.S. market, the company must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, Environmental Protection Agency regulations, and various local and state requirements.
These certification processes can be lengthy, potentially taking from several weeks to over a year depending on the complexity and thoroughness of documentation. The Finnish newspaper also reported a production target of approximately 350 motorcycles for the current year.
Until independent media test rides and customer deliveries are confirmed, the viability and reality of Donut Lab’s groundbreaking battery technology remain under close scrutiny.