DONUT LAB BATTERY "PORN" of the Verge ( before SSB !!)

[Doctorbass]

Their claim about Solid State battery made millions views and seem to generate alot of questions since the reveal ( not really a release) at the CES 2026

I just thought why not looking at WHAT THEY'VE DONE YET in order to have an idea on WHAT THEY COULD DO...

Just like my other post in the motor section I used one of their video fast images that I slowed down and "snapshoted" each to see precisely what's inside!
Verge Donut motor

Here are my observations:

• They are in 4 modules of 24s12p each for a total of 96s12p 350Vdc 60Ah for their current 21kWh pack
• Each modules use what seems to be NCA LI-Ion Molicel 21700 P50B cells ( because of the beige color) mounted vertical
• Believe it or not, these P50B Molicel spec indicate -20 celsius charging!!
• The busbars look like nickel plated copper or nickel sheet and are top & bottom, not single side welded
• These busbars are spot welded with a X/Y automated machine and use a Kweld spotwelder (see on teh tablet above the desk! probaly for rework)
• The BMS wires look like old IDE flat cables rainbow colors like old TRS-80 computers had for expansion modules
• They use fiberglass reinforced tape
• I like their ELECTRONIC LOAD ( battery tester).. it is a bidirectional
• Their BMS seems to use a BQ serie chip from TI ( typical rectangle and not square smt)
• They use nylon nut and bolt for the output busbar to connect to other modules and output HV lead
• They have their own cell sorting machine
• They spotweld modules output busbar together
• They use an appropriate cell spacing ( the transparent cell holder tell that) I guess 1.25 to 1.5mm
• It seems they use "U" shape top and bottom metal sheet plates as structural element as well as maybe for side cooling the modules.
• There is a insulating sheet and black ashesive or epoxy to glue these plate to the cell modules

• 

Doc

 

[Hillhater]

Good info and analysis.
But i doubt if much of that will be applicable to any solid state pack they might produce ,other than the overall form factor of the finished pack ..for interchangeability.
They have stated that cylindrical cells are not appropiate for their SState technology

 

[Doctorbass]

Good info and analysis.
But i doubt if much of that will be applicable to any solid state pack they might produce ,other than the overall form factor of the finished pack ..for interchangeability.
They have stated that cylindrical cells are not appropiate for their SState technology

True, What I wanted to highlight here is the best practices and design signature that Donut lab used for this pack and see if this would help to predict what's next.

 

[BatteryMooch]

True, What I wanted to highlight here is the best practices and design signature that Donut lab used for this pack and see if this would help to predict what's next.

Thanks for that breakdown.
It will be interesting to see what crossover there is between this round cell pack and their new “solid state” pack with pouch cells. Completely different cell mounting, connecting, cooling, and will be modular (seems so in the renders) but best practices, some electronics, connectors, cabling can be copied no matter what the big features are.

Seemed like a huge amount of manual labor to build the pack in the video. I bet they really want to either automate a lot of steps (adhesive application, etc.) and/or remove some steps completely.

Just a side note…no printing visible at any point on those round cell wraps. I agree, P50B wrap color and would be a good cell choice but I think those are rewrapped cells or were bare and wrapped without printing. Helps to hide what cell they use and the lack of random cell printing orientation makes the pack appear paper less “messy”. Probably P50B’s but could be a different cell.

 

[Doctorbass]

Confirmed: Donut lab said Molicel inside!

Doc

 

[topspeed]

Confirmed: Donut lab said Molicel inside!

Doc

But current is a brick.