Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Donut Lab’s CES 2025 motor could change EV design by putting propulsion inside the wheel instead of in the vehicle’s center. The physical demonstration and Verge motorcycle application make it more than a computer rendering—but the technology still has to prove its suspension, cooling, durability, cost, and production credentials before “revolutionary” becomes a fact.
The CES 2025 debut of Donut Lab’s circular electric motor was significant for a reason beyond its unusual appearance: the motor is designed to sit in the wheel assembly and deliver torque directly at the wheel. That could free space in an EV’s central chassis and remove or reduce parts such as reduction gears, differentials, half-shafts, and other transmission hardware.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
But “could revolutionize EVs” is the accurate version of the claim. Donut Lab has shown physical hardware, a named motorcycle application, and a broader vehicle-platform strategy. It has not yet established mass-production volume, long-term independent reliability across its motor family, or a decisive cost advantage over conventional EV drivetrains.
What Donut Lab unveiled at CES 2025
Donut Lab presented a five-model family intended for different mobility applications rather than a single motor designed only for passenger cars. The company’s stated platform also includes batteries, computer and control units, and software, allowing vehicle manufacturers to combine drivetrain components for different vehicle types.
#1 Best Overall
- Flex Level 1 EV Charger - The EVDANCE Level 1 electric car charger is compatible with J1772 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles (North American Standard). *Tesla requires a SAE J1772 adapter.
- Convenient to Use - This charger has both NEMA 6-20 plug for 16A 240V charging (3.68kW, 10-12 mi/h) and a NEMA 6-20 to 5-15 plug adapter for 12A 120V charging (1.44kW, 2-5 mi/h). The included bag makes it easier to carry on the go. It also has a 25ft cable length, you can use it flexibly from anywhere in the garage or driveway.
- Check Your Outlet Type -This charger works with standard 120V NEMA 5-15/5-20 outlets (2-5 mph charging speed) and 240V NEMA 6-20 outlets (10-12 mph) . It's not compatible with NEMA 6-15/10-30/14-30/14-50/6-50 outlets – you'll need a NEMA 14-50/14-30/10-30/6-50 to 6-20 adapter (sold separately) to connect.
- Compatible EV Models -This EV charger works with most major electric vehicles, including Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Audi, Nissan Ariya, Rivian R1S, Kia, and others. However, it's not compatible with Mini Cooper Electric Hardtop,Toyota Prus Prime/Z4X/RAV4Prime, Porsche Taycan Base/4S/Turbo/Turbo S or Tesla models (Tesla requires a J1772 to Tesla Adapter, sold separately). For a full list of compatible models, check out the Full Compatibility List on our product page.
- Indication Displays - LED display that can tell you the status as well as indicate errors while charging your electric vehicle.
| Motor version | Intended application | Publicly reported headline figures |
|---|---|---|
| 21-inch motor | Passenger cars and larger vehicles | Donut Lab or industry reports cite 630 kW and 4,300 Nm |
| Truck-oriented motor | Trucks and heavier applications | A separate truck design was announced; no comparable figures are established here |
| 17-inch motor | Motorcycles | Donut Lab or industry reports cite 150 kW and 1,200 Nm |
| 12-inch motor | Smaller two-wheelers | Part of the announced family; a verified headline output figure is not established here |
| 120-millimeter motor | Drones | Donut Lab or industry reports cite 3 kW and 20 Nm |
The power and torque numbers in the table are reported claims or published specifications, not independently verified test results. Donut Lab did not turn the CES presentation into a standardized comparison test against conventional motors. The figures should also not be casually multiplied to predict a vehicle’s total output: the relevant motor count, operating duration, control strategy, gearing, battery capability, and test conditions all matter.
How a wheel-integrated motor differs from a conventional EV drivetrain
Most electric cars put one or more motors inside the vehicle’s central structure. Power then travels through reduction gearing and, depending on the layout, a differential and half-shafts before reaching the wheels. This arrangement keeps the heaviest propulsion components away from the wheels and gives engineers a relatively controlled environment for cooling, sealing, servicing, and crash protection.
Donut Lab’s concept moves the motor into the wheel area. In a simple direct-drive arrangement, the motor’s torque is applied at the wheel without the same chain of transmission components between the motor and the road. The architecture can therefore:
- reduce the need for driveshafts, differentials, and reduction gears;
- create more open space between the wheels for the battery and passenger compartment;
- allow each wheel to be controlled independently;
- make different wheel and chassis layouts easier to explore; and
- give a supplier the possibility of offering a repeatable propulsion module to several vehicle manufacturers.
“Can reduce” is important here. A vehicle using wheel motors may still need additional mechanical or electronic systems depending on its design. The technology changes where propulsion lives; it does not make every other component of an EV disappear.
The packaging opportunity is the real story
Removing a central motor, gearbox, differential, and shafts could give vehicle designers more freedom. They might be able to create a flatter floor, move battery modules into otherwise difficult spaces, alter the cabin proportions, or design specialized platforms around the wheel modules rather than adapting a traditional powertrain to an existing chassis.
That flexibility could be particularly valuable for vehicles that do not fit the normal passenger-car template. Delivery vehicles, low-floor shuttles, compact urban vehicles, autonomous platforms, and specialty commercial vehicles often place a high value on interior volume and maneuverability. A modular motor family covering cars, trucks, motorcycles, smaller two-wheelers, and drones suggests that Donut Lab is trying to make the same basic integration philosophy useful across multiple markets.
Rank #2
- [2026 INTELLIGENT CHARGING UPGRADE — PRECISION CONTROL MEETS SMART SCHEDULING] After surveying 100K+ U.S. EV owners, the Raylix R&D team found that nearly all drivers recognized the necessity of adjustable current and scheduled charging. Our upgraded J1772 charger features 4-level adjustable current (8A/10A/12A/16A) and a 1–12 hour smart delay timer. Whether you're charging overnight or during off-peak hours, enjoy smarter energy use, lower costs, and total convenience—on your schedule.
- [ONE CHARGER, ALL J1772 EVs/PHEVs READY!] Compatible with all SAE J1772 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids—whether it’s Ford, GM, Nissan, Audi, BMW, Kia, Hyundai, Honda, Chevy, or more. Perfect for home or on-the-road charging, our 16A Level 1 & 2 charger ensures your EV is always powered and ready for any journey.
- [CHARGE 4× FASTER — NO MORE WAITING] In a rush? Our 16A Level 1 & 2 charger delivers charging speeds up to 4× faster than standard 8A Charger Level 1. Whether it's an early commute, a spontaneous trip, or last-minute errands, your EV will be ready when you are.
- [LEVEL 1 & 2 PORTABLE CHARGER — CHARGE ANYWHERE, ANYTIME] Designed for maximum flexibility, Raylix Level 1 & 2 EV charger features both 5-15 and 6-20 plug compatibility. Whether you're charging in your garage, at a friend's house, or at a roadside motel. NEMA 6-20 plug for Level 2 ev charging (240V, 16A, 3.68kW, 9-12 miles/hr) and a NEMA 5-15 adapter for Level 1 ev charging (120V, 12A, 1.44kW, 3-5 miles/hr) NOTE: In compliance with North American electrical safety standards, the charger automatically limits current to 12A when using a 5-15 outlet—protecting both your vehicle and your home’s electrical system.
- [AT-A-GLANCE CHARGING COMMAND: TOTAL CONTROL, INSTANTLY] While most ev chargers solutions confine vital data to in-car screens, the Raylix tesla charger breaks free with its enhanced TFT color display. This Raylix-exclusive feature delivers crystal-clear, real-time updates—voltage, current, power load, AND critical charging temperature—directly on the unit. Just one glance gives you complete charging insight. It’s not just information; it's the empowering peace of mind and satisfying control that transforms every charge into a masterfully managed experience.
The company describes this as a broader technology platform, not simply a motor sale. Its Donut Lab platform is presented as a combination of propulsion, energy storage, computing, controls, and software that manufacturers could integrate into their own products. If that approach works, Donut Lab could occupy a role closer to an EV architecture supplier than a conventional component vendor.
The Verge TS Pro is the clearest vehicle application
The most visible vehicle connected with the technology is Verge Motorcycles’ TS Pro. Verge says the motorcycle was engineered around the Donut Motor and uses a hubless rear-wheel motor that sends torque directly to the road. In other words, this is not merely an animation of a future car: the motor architecture has been associated with a named motorcycle product.
Verge’s current product information lists the TS Pro at 737 lb-ft of torque, up to 370 miles of range with the larger listed battery configuration, and charging in under ten minutes. Those are Verge-published specifications, not figures independently tested by this article. “Up to” range is particularly dependent on the test procedure, speed, temperature, rider, terrain, and battery configuration.
Verge has also described a second-generation Donut Motor 2.0 for a later TS Pro evolution. The company said the newer motor was 50% lighter than the previous version while retaining its published torque figure. That points to ongoing engineering development and addresses one of the central objections to wheel-mounted propulsion. It does not, by itself, prove that the same improvement has been achieved across every Donut Lab motor or that the architecture is ready for high-volume passenger cars.
For readers interested in the technology’s most concrete vehicle example, the Verge TS Pro is a more relevant reference than a generic hub-motor kit. It is still a motorcycle, however, and motorcycle packaging, suspension loads, cooling requirements, regulatory testing, and production volumes are not identical to those of a family EV.
Why in-wheel motors are difficult to engineer
The advantages of direct wheel drive come with trade-offs that have challenged in-wheel-motor designs for decades. Donut Lab’s CES hardware and Verge application make the idea credible enough to examine seriously, but they do not demonstrate that every engineering problem has been solved.
Unsprung mass and suspension response
A motor mounted with the wheel moves up and down with the suspension. That makes it unsprung mass. More unsprung mass can make it harder for a tire to follow bumps quickly, potentially affecting ride comfort, grip, steering behavior, and braking over rough surfaces.
Rank #3
- Universal J1772 Compatibility: Designed with a standard J1772 connector, this J1772 charger works with most J1772 electric vehicles and PHEVs, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Rivian, Ford, Chevy, Volkswagen, Toyota and more. Note: Tesla vehicles require a J1772 to Tesla adapter (not included)
- Flexible Outlet Compatibility: This portable EV charger comes with a NEMA 6-20 plug and a NEMA 5-15/5-20 to 6-20 adapter. Supports Level 1 (8–12A) and Level 2 (16A). Max 12A (1.44kW) on 120V NEMA 5-15/5-20 outlets, and full 16A (3.84kW) with a 240V NEMA 6-20 outlet. One charger is designed to cover home, garage, and travel charging needs with reliable performance
- Adjustable Smart Charging Control: Customize charging safely with adjustable current settings (8A/10A/12A/16A) to match different circuits. The 0–12 hour delay timer helps schedule overnight charging during lower electricity rates. Integrated LCD display shows real-time voltage, current, power, and charging status for clear monitoring without apps. Note: Press 'A' or 'T' for 3s to set and confirm.
- Home Charging & Travel Backup: For daily home use while remaining fully portable for travel. This level 1 ev charger includes a durable 25FT ev charging cord, providing flexible reach for garage or driveway charging. Charge overnight to take advantage of lower utility rates—potentially saving up to $500 annually on electricity costs. The included carrying case makes storage easy and keeps a dependable backup charger available in your trunk for road trips or visiting friends
- Engineered For Safety & Durability: Built for dependable daily use, this electric car charger features an IP65 waterproof rating for all weather operation. Equipped with a UL-listed cable, fully rubberized connector, and advanced protection against overcurrent, overheating, and electrical faults. Designed to ensure safe, stable, and long-term charging performance in demanding environments
The effect depends on the motor’s weight, the wheel and tire, suspension geometry, spring and damper tuning, and the vehicle’s intended use. A lighter motor can reduce the penalty, which is why Verge’s claim that Motor 2.0 is 50% lighter is relevant. It is not evidence that unsprung mass has no effect.
Recommended Free Tools
Cooling and continuous output
Peak power figures attract attention, but vehicles also need predictable continuous performance. A motor in a wheel must reject heat while operating in a compact, rotating, exposed assembly. Engineers must account for ambient temperature, airflow, braking heat, slow-speed operation, sustained climbing, towing, and repeated acceleration.
A short peak-power rating and the output a motor can sustain for several minutes—or for an entire duty cycle—are different engineering measures. The CES claims do not provide enough independently verified information to judge that distinction across the five-model lineup.
Road shock, water, dirt, and serviceability
Central powertrain components benefit from the vehicle body’s protection. A wheel-area motor is closer to pothole impacts, vibration, standing water, road salt, dust, stones, and temperature swings. Seals, bearings, connectors, insulation, and structural mounts must survive that environment for years.
Service is another consideration. A motor failure in a centralized drivetrain can often be accessed without replacing or disassembling a wheel assembly. A wheel-integrated system may simplify some mechanical parts but make the wheel module itself more specialized and expensive to replace. Long-term fleet data will be needed to determine whether the overall maintenance burden is lower.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchBraking, packaging, and control electronics
Wheel motors can provide regenerative braking, but friction brakes remain important for emergency stops, low battery states, low-speed control, and consistent braking performance. The wheel assembly must accommodate the motor, brake hardware, bearings, suspension, steering movement where applicable, and high-voltage connections without compromising safety.
Independent wheel torque could also improve traction control and yaw management. But that benefit depends on fast, fault-tolerant control software and sensors. The motor itself is only one part of the system. Donut Lab’s stated platform approach—motors combined with batteries, computers, control units, and software—reflects that reality.
Rank #4
- Road-Trip Ready & Apartment-Friendly: Comes with a 20ft heavy-duty cable that easily spans a standard parking space, plus a NEMA 5-15 adapter for plug and play convenience. Whether you're charging at home or hitting the highway, this portable EV Charger is your ultimate travel companion for weekend getaways and camping trips
- Delay Timer & Adjustable Current: Use the built-in timer to delay your start by 1-12 hours and easily harvest off-peak energy savings. Then pick from 6/8/10/12/16A (Level 2) to match your garage grid. It automatically locks in your favorite setting and never forces you to re-adjust. No complicated apps or Wi-Fi needed, just straightforward, reliable control
- Tactile Buttons & LED Screen: No glitchy smartphone apps or finicky touchscreens that lag, freeze, and misfire in winter. Our EV charger is engineered with a high-definition LED display that tracks critical real-time data, including live voltage and current. Tactile buttons deliver direct, satisfying click feedback that remains highly responsive even when wearing heavy winter gloves or operating in torrential downpours—conditions where standard touchscreens completely fail
- ETL Certified Safety & IP65 All-Weather Shield: ETL certified to meet US safety standards for charging. Engineered with a certified IP65 dust-and-waterproof enclosure and a heavy-duty TPE cable that operates reliably across a wide -22°F to 130°F range. An intelligent multi-protection defense system (GFCI, over-voltage, over-current, surge, short-circuit, and over-temp) keeps a 24/7 watch for 100% safe, unattended overnight charging in any weather
- J1772 Compatible + Dual-Level Charging: Works with all J1772 EVs (Tesla requires a separate J1772 adapter). Level 2: built-in NEMA 6-20 plug. Level 1: included NEMA 5-15 adapter fits any standard outlet. Please confirm your outlet is NEMA 6-20 or 5-15 before purchase
Cost and manufacturing scale
Eliminating a differential or several shafts does not automatically make a vehicle cheaper. The comparison must include motor materials, power electronics, sealing, structural wheel components, suspension upgrades, specialized assembly, service procedures, software validation, and warranty costs.
At high production volumes, a simpler mechanical layout could create savings. At low volumes, a novel wheel motor may be more expensive than a mature centralized motor and gearbox. Donut Lab has not yet published enough independently verified production and cost data to settle that question.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Donut Lab is trying to move beyond a motorcycle
The company’s five-motor lineup is a statement about scalability: one supplier wants to serve several types of mobility rather than prove the concept in only one vehicle. Donut Lab and WATT Electric Vehicles later announced a collaboration on a lightweight EV skateboard platform using in-wheel motors.
That WATT EV skateboard platform collaboration is important because a skateboard is the foundation on which many modern EVs are built. A successful wheel-motor skateboard could give an OEM a ready-made starting point for different bodies and vehicle missions. At this stage, though, the announcement is a partnership and development signal—not evidence of a mainstream production vehicle, sales volume, or completed independent validation.
The wider commercial question is whether vehicle manufacturers will accept the trade-offs. OEMs are conservative about components that affect suspension, crash safety, braking, durability, noise, vibration, and service. A new motor architecture must be not only powerful, but also predictable across years of use and affordable to certify and repair.
What the CES demonstration proves—and what it does not
Independent coverage of the CES presentation described hardware that was more substantial than a purely digital concept. Combined with the Verge motorcycle application, that makes Donut Lab’s motor story more credible than a speculative rendering or a distant patent proposal.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Still, the available evidence does not establish:
- large-scale automotive production;
- long-term, independent reliability results for the full motor family;
- verified real-world efficiency gains across different vehicle classes;
- a confirmed lower cost than centralized EV drivetrains;
- proof that the quoted peak power and torque can be sustained in ordinary use; or
- wide OEM adoption.
That distinction matters because an impressive motor specification is not the same thing as a successful vehicle platform. Automakers buy complete systems that meet safety, warranty, durability, software, supply-chain, and manufacturing requirements.
Best Value
- 【Delay Timer - Adjustable Current】Ev charger can adjust the current (8A/10A/12A/16A) through the physical button of level 1 ev charger. Charging power can reach up to 3.68KW (240V/16A). One-touch switch for ev charger operation. Built-in 2–8 hour delay timer for off-peak charging to save on electricity bills.
- 【NEMA 6-20 Plug & NEMA 5-15 Adapter】Nema 6-20 plug for 240V outlets and 5-15 adapter for standard 120V realize plug-and-charge (With 5-15 adapter, need to adjust the current to 12A or below, otherwise the charger may be demeged). Overall length of ev charger level 2 is 27FT, providing enough charging distance across garages at home or outdoor. Portable storage bag supports you take portable EV Charger during travel, business trip, electric vehicle charging stations anywhere.
- 【ETL/FCC and IP67 Safety】J1772 charger is equipped with advanced safety functions such as overvoltage, overheating, and short-circuit automatic shutdown. IP67 waterproof and dustproof, extreme temperature protection level for withstanding harsh weather conditions from -40°F to 131°F in sunny, rain, snow and sandstorm. Electric car charger has ETL certified, FCC listed, meets UL safety standards. Industrial-grade construction with high-strength TPU-coated cables and 99.95% oxygen-free copper cores.
- 【J1772 Connector】J1772 charger works for all J1772 standard electric vehicles, Ford, GM, Nissan, Audi, Kia, Honda, BMW, Hyundai, Gmc, Chevy, Mercedes, and all PHEV/BEV. [Not fits Tesla cars/Nacs connector]
- 【One-Touch Charging Operation】16A electric car charger supports plug-and-charge functionality and features one-touch scheduled charging and current adjustment. Its intuitive and user-friendly operation allows flexible customization of personalized charging plans. Level 1 ev charger automatically shuts off when your car is fully charged.
A separate caution about Donut Lab’s later battery claims
Later reporting in 2026 scrutinized Donut Lab’s descriptions of a separate solid-state battery technology and cited third-party testing that conflicted with some promotional claims. That issue is relevant when evaluating the company’s broader communications, but it should not be treated as proof that the CES 2025 motor hardware or Verge’s motorcycle application is invalid.
The motor evidence should be judged on its own terms: physical demonstration, published specifications, vehicle integration, independent inspection or testing, durability data, and eventual production results. Battery claims and motor claims are related only in the sense that both are parts of the company’s wider platform story.
Could this actually revolutionize EVs?
Potentially—but only if Donut Lab or another manufacturer can solve the wheel-motor trade-offs at production scale. The upside is architectural: more freedom in the vehicle’s center, fewer traditional drivetrain parts, independent wheel control, and a modular path for vehicles ranging from motorcycles to commercial EVs.
The downside is equally architectural: unsprung mass, heat, sealing, road shocks, braking integration, serviceability, controls, cost, and certification. Those problems are not minor details; they determine whether the concept works outside a demonstration or a limited vehicle program.
The fairest verdict is that Donut Lab’s CES 2025 motor was a technically notable attempt to put high-power electric propulsion directly in the wheel. The Verge TS Pro shows that the idea has reached a real motorcycle application, while the WATT collaboration indicates ambitions beyond two wheels. But the claim that it will revolutionize electric cars remains conditional on independent testing, reliable production, OEM adoption, and years of service data.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Donut Lab’s donut-shaped motor work?
Donut Lab’s motor is designed to sit in the wheel assembly and deliver torque directly at the wheel. That can reduce or eliminate some conventional drivetrain components, although the exact vehicle architecture may still require additional mechanical and electronic systems.
Can consumers buy a Donut Motor on Amazon?
No. Generic marketplace hub motors may demonstrate the basic idea of wheel-mounted propulsion, but there is no evidence that they are Donut Lab products, compatible replacements, or equivalent in power, cooling, controls, sealing, or durability.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →What vehicle uses Donut Lab’s motor?
The Verge TS Pro is the clearest named vehicle application. Verge says it uses a hubless rear-wheel Donut Motor and publishes figures including 737 lb-ft of torque, up to 370 miles of range in the larger listed battery configuration, and charging in under ten minutes. Those are manufacturer-published specifications, not independent test results.
What are the disadvantages of in-wheel motors?
The main concerns are added unsprung mass, cooling, exposure to road impacts and contamination, braking integration, serviceability, control-system reliability, cost, and the ability to meet automotive durability and safety requirements at scale.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
