Good news for EV enthusiasts and fans of slightly absurd names—Donut Lab has unveiled the world’s most powerful electric motor family. These aren’t your average donuts; they’re revolutionary, in-wheel motors that might make traditional powertrains feel like they belong in a museum.
The highlight? A 21-inch (53 cm) motor weighing just 40 kilograms (88 lbs), capable of producing 630 kilowatts (845 horsepower) and a jaw-dropping 4,300 Newton meters (3,172 lb-ft) of torque. That’s per motor. Trucks get their supersized variant, while two-wheelers can revel in the 17-inch (43 cm) version, boasting 150 kilowatts (201 horsepower) and 1,200 Newton meters (885 lb-ft) of torque at a featherlight 21 kilograms (46 lbs). For those who think smaller is better, there’s even a drone-friendly “minidonut” weighing just 1.5 kilograms (3.3 lbs) and dishing out 3 kilowatts (4 horsepower) with 20 Newton meters (15 lb-ft) of torque.
By eliminating the need for traditional powertrains, Donut Lab’s motors are not just light and efficient but also kinder to manufacturers’ budgets. Designed for seamless integration, they promise to cut down development times and make building vehicles feel like snapping together LEGO sets—if LEGO pieces could break world speed records.
These motors may sound like science fiction, but they’re here to stay, with prices starting at… well, Donut Lab didn’t say. Maybe they’re keeping that little nugget of info glazed for later. Meanwhile, if you are hitting up the world’s biggest consumer electronics show in Vegas, you can find Donut Lab with its new motor family at CES.
Images: Donut Lab.
