With renewable energy sources being improved every day, most green energy initiatives have been focused on squeezing out every ounce of electricity and power possible. But there is only so much optimizing that an engine can do, and even though companies like Ferrari are experts in getting every last bit of energy out of their high performing motors, regular people cannot afford the price tags. Companies like Donut Lab, a Finnish startup, seem to be picking up where high performance companies leave off and are revolutionizing the automotive industry with engines that seek to outperform these established powerhouses.
While there have been many companies that have tried to make motors with different power sources (artificial fuel is a popular new alternative that is being explored, but then again so is plasma, which is a lot more complex) Donut Lab is focused on electricity for now, but they are really focused on the concept of improving the way the car itself works so that any electricity goes a longer way. They are not constricted by the idea that the motor needs to go under the hood, like in traditional cars and they have come up with a very innovative idea.
The new Donut Lab electric engine
Many companies have toyed around with moving the engine from the front of the car to the middle, but one of the issues that brings is that, unless you make the chassis of the car higher, the space to do that is limited and can be hit quite easily by any object protruding from the road.
But the Donut lab engine would not have that problem, their new electric motor shocks consumers, with a circular design that departs from traditional engine configurations. It is now known as “donut-shaped” or “bubble engines,” and these units are engineered to be positioned directly within the wheels. This integration allows for a more compact layout, reduces overall vehicle weight, and improves the efficiency of energy transmission to the wheels, which is an essential component of electric vehicle performance.
Electric motors are already recognized for their lower environmental impact, but “bubble engines” push efficiency even further by fixing some of the main problems that they deal with. Their lightweight, compact design means they require less energy to operate, and placing them directly in the wheels enhances performance without added power consumption, which is one of the main worries if the traditional structure of the gas motor is maintained in an electric vehicle.
This setup could also simplify production, as fewer components are involved, which would reduce both manufacturing costs and maintenance needs. Plus, replacing a part would be somewhat easier since the engines would be a lot more accessible. For drivers, this translates to long-term savings and reliability, as these new engines are built to last, potentially outlasting the vehicle they power.
But all of the innovation and new technology is for nothing if the engine does not impress and is powerful enough to be able to move an entire industry to transform. After all, Donut Lab does not make cars, they make engines. But for now, it does not look like that will be a problem as Donut Labs has taken speed to an extreme level. Their most advanced model delivers a staggering 845 horsepower, surpassing even high-performance vehicles like certain Ferraris.
What sets this new engine apart and allows it to perform so well is the efficiency that they have been able to create thanks to making it integrated into the wheel. Given its placement, there is virtually no energy loss in transmission, resulting in immediate torque delivery and acceleration that can outperform many traditional sports cars.