13911 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Autonomous vehicles will ‘drive like humans’ soon. Why Nvidia’s Alpamayo could be the ‘ChatGPT of self-driving’

 

https://www.wionews....g-1767681525886

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 06 January 2026 - 02:59 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

The First Production All-Solid-State Battery Is Here, And It Promises 5-Minute Charging

 

Donut Lab claims it can build gigawatt-hours worth of solid-state batteries today without using any rare materials.

 

https://insideevs.co...official-specs/

 

 

So, what makes this battery special? Well, pretty much everything. It’s lighter, more energy-dense, safer, lighter, faster-charging, more resilient and–most importantly–promises more range than conventional lithium-ion batteries with liquid-based electrolytes.

 

According to Donut Lab, its production-ready all-solid-state battery has an energy density of 400 watt-hours/kilogram and can be fully charged in as little as five minutes for as many as 100,000 cycles, without having to limit charging to 80%. By comparison, some of the top-tier traditional Li-ion batteries available today have an energy density of around 250-300 Wh/kg and can last for up to 5,000 full cycles, while limiting the maximum state of charge to 80%.

 

What’s more, extreme temperatures have little to no effect on Donut’s solid-state battery, with the startup claiming its product retained over 99% of its capacity at temperatures as low as -22°F (-30°C) and as high as 212°F (100°C). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If that battery is for real, that's amazing.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 06 January 2026 - 03:03 AM.

[Mike K.]

It’s a miracle!

[spanky123]

^^ Amazing! Solid state batteries aren't new, wouldn't at all be surprised to hear that they are just slapping a sticker on a Chinese battery. The problem is that the cost per kwh limits their application to very specific use cases. 

 

Most of the excitement right now is in sodium ion batteries which have energy densities close to that of lithium phosphate but have a broader temperature range, are safer and cost less to manufacture at scale. 

 

Outside of the lab, I wouldn't be expecting any startup to be competing against the massive Chinese battery leaders who invest tens of billions a year in new tech.  

[spanky123]

As an example, Chinese owned CATL spends nearly $2.5B a year itself in R&D and has 20,000 researchers. 

[Tony]

  Early days  with maximum positive expectations about to meet the real world with there Q1 2026 Verge motorcycle.

 

Sounds like early Cybertruck promotions.

[Victoria Watcher]

US giant takes $9 billion hit after changing EV plans

General Motors is reversing some investments into electric vehicles, with the US car giant taking a US$6 billion (A$9 billion) hit in the process.

 

https://torquecafe.c...nging-ev-plans/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 10 January 2026 - 12:52 AM.

[Matt R.]

This looks fun and dangerous. Built on that donut battery I read about.

Award-Winning Design

A HUBLESS MOTORBIKE UNLIKE ANYTHING ELSE
Engineered around the donut motor, the TS Pro blends power, precision, and elegance in perfect harmony, giving you a ride that feels as powerful as it looks.

https://www.vergemot...les.com/ts-pro/

[Victoria Watcher]

I’m not sure why one might say dangerous. I’m not sure there is any more reason to think the wheel would lock up than spoke wheels, chain, belt or direct drives.

[Matt R.]

Like any motorcycle I mean.

[Victoria Watcher]

Oh I see.

Somebody online was complaining that it electronically tops out at 125mph but technically should be able to go faster. Why would you want to go anywhere near those speeds?

[Matt R.]

For clicks and likes.

[Mike K.]

Can anyone speak to the limitations of current technology regarding machines like mini excavators and skid steers? Like would the volume of batteries to operational time be too low to have an efficient and effective tool?

[Blair M.]

Can anyone speak to the limitations of current technology regarding machines like mini excavators and skid steers? Like would the volume of batteries to operational time be too low to have an efficient and effective tool?

Volvo is one of the few current (well known and non-Chinese) leaders in the manufacture of electric earth moving equipment (in a few "mini" configurations).

 

 

Typical of electric though, a basic decision needs to be made between the ease and simplicity of simply re-filling the fuel tank of a gas/diesel piece of equipment on a job site - or accepting the downtime and stopping work in order to recharge the batteries of the same basic vehicle in an electric configuration. 

 

I would think that, in a non-commercial home or farm use type of situation, that the electric option would definitely be worth looking into. 

 

https://www.volvoce....nt&gad_source=1

[Mike K.]

Oh I see, so there is some experimentation going on.

When I was buying a new mower recently, the only Honda models that are now available are battery powered. Ridiculously expensive for what you get. So I had to track down a remaining gas model, on Salt Spring of all places. Like Matt says, that’s the land of irony.

I’d need 3 of the 8AH batteries to do my yard without worry of running out. One battery comes with the mower, the other two would cost an additional $1000 plus tax. It’s nutty. So about $2,200 plus tax, for what I bought for under $1,000 with taxes in, and $10 of fuel will cover my entire yard no problem. Probably well under that amount, actually.

[Blair M.]

The actual use metrics of electric vs. gas/diesel are definitely a huge part of the decision making process.

 

I went to an electric mower because my yard is of a size that I can mow it with a single battery (and I still have 1/4 power remaining when I'm done mowing).

As soon as you require a second battery, then a gas powered mower instantly becomes the much less expensive option.

 

But I did give up my electric weed-whacker and leaf-blower for the gas powered Stihl equivalents.

I'll never go back to electric for those two items, with the gas powered Stihl versions having 3 or 4 times the power for the task at hand, and with each having a gas tank that far outlasts the single battery on the battery powered equivalents.

 

Despite remaining solidly gas powered on some tools, I do quite enjoy my electric lawn mower over my previous gas powered mower - it's super quiet, I don't have to keep going to the gas station for gas (as the weed-whacker and blower gas consumption is minuscule), and I can recharge the rather large battery to full in a matter of hours.

[dasmo]

I am all electric for tools. I like the power of gas but not being a small engine repair man. The thing that sucks with electric weed eaters is not having the ability to put on different heads. I might need to get a gas one so I can put on my blade attachment. Do some real damage with that if you need to beat back rose or blackberry.

[LJ]

My landscaper went to all electric a few years ago, all his mowers, weedwackers, blowers etc. I guess he can write off the cost of supplemental batteries so it makes it worthwhile.

[Mike K.]

The high end electric equivalents are actually pretty good, but you have to invest thousands into batteries and the units themselves may cost more. I see some landscaping firms with solar panels on the roofs of their trailers.

@Dasmo, have you looked into Husqy or Stihl for their pro offerings? They may offer interchangeable heads.

[lanforod]

Never say never, Blair. If your city bans gas ones, you'll not be able to use your nice Stihl's. I'm not looking forward to that day myself, all my tools are gas. Stihl/Husqvarna.