Finnish Startup Secures €25M for Revolutionary EV Wheel Motors
▼ Summary
– Finnish startup Donut Lab raised €25mn in seed funding to scale its in-wheel hub motors for electric vehicles across land, sea, and air.
– The company is opening an R&D hub in the UK, and Risto Siilasmaa, former Nokia chairman, has joined its board.
– Donut Lab’s hollow “Donut” motor integrates directly into the wheel rim, eliminating traditional EV parts like axles, potentially reducing weight and costs.
– The 21-inch car version delivers hypercar-level power (630kW, 4,300Nm) at just 40kg, with claims of the highest torque and power density in the market.
– Donut Lab is expanding beyond motors to develop batteries, software, and connectivity, targeting industries like aerospace, defence, and robotics.
A Finnish startup has raised €25 million in seed funding to accelerate the development of its game-changing in-wheel motor technology for electric vehicles across multiple industries. Donut Lab, the company behind the innovation, plans to expand its operations with a new research and development center in the UK while welcoming prominent tech investor Risto Siilasmaa to its board.
The company’s breakthrough product, aptly named the “Donut,” is a hollow hub motor that integrates directly into a vehicle’s wheel rim. This design eliminates the need for traditional components like axles, transmissions, and differentials, potentially reducing weight and manufacturing costs compared to conventional electric vehicles. With power outputs rivaling hypercars, 630kW and 4,300Nm of torque, the 21-inch motor weighs a mere 40kg, setting new benchmarks for power density in the EV sector.
Originally developed by Verge Motorcycles for high-performance bikes, the technology was spun off into Donut Lab earlier this year to broaden its applications. The company now aims to adapt its motors for everything from e-scooters and drones to heavy-duty trucks and even aerospace vehicles.
One of the biggest challenges with in-wheel motors has always been unsprung mass, the extra weight in the wheel that isn’t supported by the suspension, which can negatively affect handling and ride quality. Donut claims its lightweight design minimizes this issue, making it a viable alternative to traditional EV drivetrains.
Beyond motors, the startup is working on integrated battery systems, software, and connectivity solutions, positioning itself as a full-stack provider for EV manufacturers. Its ambitions stretch into unconventional markets like defense and robotics, signaling a bold vision for the future of electric mobility.
Scaling such a diverse range of applications, while simultaneously developing batteries and software, is no small feat, even for well-funded companies. Whether Donut Lab can deliver on its promises remains to be seen, but its latest funding round suggests strong investor confidence in its potential to reshape the EV landscape.
(Source: The Next Web)