Verge Motorcycles, the Finnish electric motorcycle manufacturer known for its futuristic hubless rear wheel design, is claiming another massive first for the industry. The company announced today that it is launching the “world’s first” production motorcycle equipped with solid-state batteries, promising a massive leap in range and charging speed.
The new technology, developed in partnership with Donut Lab, a company founded by the same people behind Verge Motorcycles, is being deployed in the updated Verge TS Pro, which the company says will be available to customers in the “coming months.”
Solid-state batteries have long been considered the “holy grail” of the EV industry. By replacing the liquid or gel electrolyte found in traditional lithium-ion batteries with a solid material, they promise significantly higher energy density, faster charging, and improved safety (specifically, a near-zero risk of thermal runaway).
While major automakers from Toyota to Volkswagen have been teasing solid-state tech for years with timelines that seem to perpetually slip, Verge claims it is skipping the “concept” phase and going straight to production.
There has been serious progress made by solid state battery companies in the last 18 months, making it more likely to see commercial applications by the end of the decade, but if true, this is a leapfrog moment.
The Specs
According to the press release, the solid-state battery pack allows the Verge TS Pro to achieve:
- Range: Up to 370 miles (600 km) on a single charge with the extended-range pack (nearly double the previous standard).
- Charging: An additional 186 miles (300 km) of range in just 10 minutes.
- Performance: The bike retains its signature 1,000 Nm of torque and 0-62 mph acceleration of 3.5 seconds.
Verge notes that the new battery packs are developed by Donut Lab, a technology partner that also produces the company’s trademark “Donut” hubless motor. The motor itself has been updated to be 50% lighter while maintaining the same output.
Ville Piippo, CTO of Donut Lab, stated that their technology is ready for the mass market now, not in a decade:
“We are now ready to bring truly exceptional technology to the electric mobility market… our battery technology can be used in all types of vehicles, from motorcycles and passenger cars to trucks, robotics and stationary energy storage.”
The company also highlighted the safety benefits, noting that the solid electrolyte eliminates the fire risk associated with liquid lithium-ion cells and operates stably across extreme temperatures.
Author: Fred Lambert
Source: Electrek
Reviewed By: Editorial Team
