The promise sounded like science fiction: a battery for electric cars that charges in 5 minutes and lasts forever. The Finnish company Donut Lab managed to convince 1,300 small investors, who contributed 25 million dollars. The reality, however, is less bright: behind the smoke screen, they only found a conventional lithium battery, with nothing revolutionary.
The chemistry behind the deception 🔬
To achieve that ultra-fast charging, Donut Lab claimed to use a patented solid electrolyte and silicon-graphene anodes. In independent laboratories, the battery showed an energy density of 250 Wh/kg and a lifespan of 800 cycles, normal figures in the current market. There were no real advances in cell chemistry or thermal management. It was simply a standard lithium-ion battery with an expensive marketing wrapper.
Investors, next time ask before you fork over the cash 💸
The curious thing is that no one asked to see the real charging data before signing. 1,300 people were seduced by a promotional video and a CEO with thick-rimmed glasses. Meanwhile, Donut Lab is probably already looking for another country to pull the same stunt. Because, let's be honest, if you promise to charge a car in 5 minutes and only deliver a power bank from Ali Express, something smells like a burnt donut.