In the fast-evolving world of electric vehicle technology, the promise of a revolutionary solid-state battery from a small Finnish startup named Donut Labs has sparked both excitement and skepticism. According to a recent video by Sam Evans on the Electric Viking YouTube channel, the claims surrounding Donut Labs' battery technology might be more hype than reality. Evans delves into the story of Finnish entrepreneur Marco Litmaki and his company, raising serious doubts about the legitimacy of their groundbreaking assertions. Let's unpack the details, explore the red flags, and analyze whether this innovation is the game-changer it claims to be.
The Bold Claims of Donut Labs
According to the video by Sam Evans, Donut Labs, led by Marco Litmaki, unveiled what they claim to be the world's first mass-produced solid-state battery at a Las Vegas event. The company asserts that their technology is a monumental leap forward, with capabilities far surpassing anything currently on the market. Evans highlights that Donut Labs claims their battery can endure over 100,000 cycles—equating to more than a century of use—without degradation. Additionally, the battery supposedly operates effectively in extreme temperatures ranging from minus 30°C to plus 80°C, charges to full capacity in mere minutes, and reduces the need for environmentally harmful metals.
Perhaps most striking is the company's assertion, as reported by Evans, that they are ready to produce these batteries at a gigawatt scale imminently. If true, this would place Donut Labs ahead of global giants like CATL, who have poured billions into solid-state battery research with far less tangible progress to show for it. The potential implications for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage are enormous, solving key issues like range anxiety and charging times in one fell swoop.
Who Is Marco Litmaki?
Sam Evans digs into the background of Marco Litmaki, the face behind Donut Labs, painting a picture of a serial entrepreneur with a colorful history. According to the video, Litmaki hails from Finland and has been involved in over 30 companies across Finland and Estonia, though many of these ventures reportedly have little to no active business. His past includes founding a Christian rap group and creating a successful app that was eventually sold to software giant SAP in 2021 for a significant sum, netting him a taxable income of 8.5 million euros that year.
However, Evans points out that Litmaki’s track record also includes unfulfilled promises. For instance, he was involved with Verge, an electric motorcycle company founded by his brother, which projected tens of millions in turnover for 2023 but fell drastically short, achieving less than 100,000 euros that year and just over 1 million euros in 2024. More recently, as Evans notes, Litmaki claimed in May 2025 to have developed the world’s first “true super AI” called Azenoid, a technology he described as surpassing all existing AI models combined. Yet, there has been little follow-up or evidence of this technology since its announcement, casting doubt on his credibility.
Skepticism from Industry Experts
Evans emphasizes that the battery industry is not buying into Donut Labs’ claims without scrutiny. Several experts and major players have openly questioned the technology’s feasibility. Notably, Rico Ulissi, head of operations outside China for CATL—the world’s largest battery manufacturer—publicly labeled the invention as “clearly false” on LinkedIn, as reported in the video. Other industry voices, according to Evans, suggest that what Donut Labs is marketing as a battery might actually be a supercapacitor, which can charge and discharge rapidly but lacks the energy storage capacity needed for applications like EVs. This theory directly contradicts claims that the technology could power Verge motorcycles for 370 miles of range, a figure Evans notes would be unprecedented for any electric motorbike.
Adding to the skepticism, Evans mentions that Finnish battery experts like Juo Heiska from Seinajoki University of Applied Sciences and Vesa Pekka Lehto from the University of Eastern Finland have expressed conditional admiration for the specs—if they are accurate. However, they and others remain unconvinced, especially given the lack of a working prototype at the Las Vegas event. Instead, only battery “shells” were displayed, a detail Evans flags as a significant red flag.
Red Flags and Lack of Transparency
One of the most concerning aspects highlighted by Sam Evans is the opacity surrounding Donut Labs’ operations and technology. The company, registered in Estonia, reportedly has ties to Nordic Nano Group, a relatively obscure entity, based on documents from the Estonian Trade Register cited in the video. When pressed for details, representatives from Nordic Nano, including their CEO and PR director, refused to clarify whether the technology is indeed a battery or a supercapacitor, or even if a patent has been filed. This secrecy, as Evans suggests, raises questions about whether there’s a genuine innovation to protect or simply a lack of substance to reveal.
Moreover, Evans points out the implausibility of a small company with just nine employees as of last September outpacing global battery manufacturers who have invested hundreds of billions over decades. The absence of concrete evidence, coupled with Litmaki’s history of ambitious but unverified claims, fuels the narrative that this could be more about generating buzz than delivering a viable product.
Analysis: Hype or Hoax?
Reflecting on the information presented by Sam Evans, it’s hard to ignore the mounting doubts surrounding Donut Labs. Solid-state batteries are widely regarded as the holy grail of EV technology due to their potential for higher energy density, faster charging, and improved safety compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. However, the field is notoriously complex, with even industry leaders like Toyota and QuantumScape facing significant hurdles in scaling production despite years of research. Against this backdrop, Donut Labs’ claim of not only solving these challenges but also being ready for gigawatt-scale manufacturing seems extraordinarily optimistic—if not outright implausible.
The lack of a working prototype at CES, as noted by Evans, is particularly damning. Trade shows like CES are often platforms for showcasing functional technology to attract investors and partners. Displaying mere shells suggests either a rushed PR stunt or an inability to back up claims with tangible results. Additionally, the connection to Nordic Nano Group, while intriguing, lacks clarity. Without independent verification of their involvement or the nature of their technology, it’s challenging to take these assertions at face value.
Marco Litmaki’s background, as detailed in the video, adds another layer of complexity. While his entrepreneurial success with the SAP deal demonstrates business acumen, his involvement in numerous inactive companies and unfulfilled projections with Verge and the alleged super AI project Azenoid suggest a pattern of overpromising. This history doesn’t necessarily mean Donut Labs’ battery is a hoax, but it does warrant a healthy dose of skepticism.
What’s Next for Donut Labs?
Sam Evans notes that Litmaki has promised Verge motorcycles equipped with the new battery will ship by the end of March, though the exact year isn’t specified in the transcript. This timeline offers a near-term opportunity to test the company’s claims. If these motorcycles hit the market with the advertised 370-mile range and other touted features, it could silence critics and reshape the industry. However, if delays or discrepancies emerge, it may further cement the perception of Donut Labs as more hype than substance.
For now, the battery community and EV enthusiasts alike are left in a state of cautious curiosity. As Evans suggests, the consensus among experts leans toward disbelief, with major players like CATL dismissing the technology outright. Without independent testing or detailed technical disclosures, it’s difficult to separate fact from fiction.
Conclusion
The story of Donut Labs, as explored by Sam Evans on the Electric Viking channel, is a compelling case study in the fine line between innovation and illusion. The promise of a solid-state battery that outperforms anything on the market is tantalizing, but the lack of evidence, expert skepticism, and the enigmatic track record of Marco Litmaki cast significant doubt. While it’s possible that Donut Labs has achieved a breakthrough, the current landscape suggests caution. As this story unfolds, The Battery Wire will keep a close eye on developments, particularly any updates on production and real-world performance. Until then, the question remains: is this the future of energy storage, or just another overblown tech promise?