The test is part of a research project measuring the features of the Donut Battery, and it focuses on how multiple cells work together as part of a battery pack, rather than focusing on a single battery cell. The air-cooled battery pack by Verge is developed for the latest-generation TS Pro electric motorcycle.
The use of Donut Lab's solid-state battery technology in a production vehicle will be a historic breakthrough that is shaking up the entire automotive industry. Now, for the first time, the company is publicly demonstrating the battery's functionality in a vehicle at the battery pack level.
“This is the first test we have published to a wider audience that demonstrates the performance and behaviour of multiple battery cells in a real vehicle environment” said Ville Piippo, CTO at Donut Lab. “The high energy density of our battery technology enables flexible battery pack design and superior performance even in more challenging applications, such as motorcycles, where space is limited and system simplicity is key. We are able to offer vehicle manufacturers packs with different energy capacities in the same physical size, with even the smallest packs having very high capacities.”
A fast-charging test conducted with Verge Motorcycles proves that the previously announced exceptionally fast charging, under ten minutes, is possible. The test was conducted with an earlier generation motorcycle, equipped with a new model year battery pack. The nominal capacity of the battery pack is 18 kilowatt-hours. Although the results of the fast-charging test are already excellent, and the battery pack charges three times faster than Verge's previous battery, the results will be even better after optimisation performed by Verge.
In the test, the motorcycle's battery is charged with a public fast charger, and the battery pack's temperature at the beginning of the test is approximately 20 degrees Celsius. A peak charging power of over 100 kW (5C charging rate) is maintained for five minutes, during which the bike's charge level rises from 10 percent to 50 percent. Overall, a 10–70 percent charge level is achieved in just over 9 minutes, and 10–80 percent is reached in 12 minutes.
“Our goal is to provide Verge users with the best possible user experience” added Tuomo Lehtimäki, CEO of Verge Motorcycles. “The advantages of Donut Lab’s battery technology, such as ultra-fast charging, complement our goal seamlessly. The world’s fastest charging electric motorcycle, the Verge TS Pro, is also air-cooled. The battery pack used in this test is our standard model, but an extended range version is also available, with approximately two-thirds more energy capacity.”
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