Donut Lab and WATT Electric Vehicle Company (WATT) today announced their innovative partnership aimed at setting new standards in the field of electric vehicles. This combines the industry-leading low weight achieved by WATT's integrated battery platform 'Module-to-Chassis' with the flexibility of Donut Lab's rim motors. The two companies will present a functional prototype of the skateboard platform at CES 2026 in Las Vegas at Donut Lab's booth.
The central element of the collaboration is PACES (Passenger And Commercial EV Skateboard) from WATT, an innovative aluminum platform technology known for its industry-leading lightweight construction. PACES will now integrate Donut Lab's rim motor technology with two direct drive motors on the rear axle, with an all-wheel-drive variant to be added in 2026.
The result is an exceptionally lightweight electric vehicle platform whose enormous performance capability and unparalleled flexibility enable the development of diverse vehicle configurations, from beach buggies to high-performance sports cars to commercial vehicles for delivery traffic. Thanks to this modular approach, the hurdles for developing new vehicles are significantly lowered without compromising performance and efficiency.
A central component of the innovation of this partnership is the ability to control each Donut Lab rim motor independently with millisecond accuracy. This results in an unprecedented level of torque distribution during cornering on asphalt or while searching for grip off-road.
The complete elimination of conventional drivetrains allows for weight reduction in the direct drive architecture, creates space in the vehicle, and reduces complexity while significantly improving energy transfer efficiency. The real-time control functions of the system achieve a level of accuracy, stability, and drive control that far exceeds the capabilities of conventional systems and fundamentally changes the driving experience. With next-generation software-defined driving dynamics, the OEM retains full control over the desired driving experience in the end product.
"The integration of Donut Lab's revolutionary rim motor technology is a significant advancement in what PACES can offer to the automotive world," says Neil Yates, CEO of WATT Electric Vehicles. "The motors, inverters, and software systems perfectly complement our philosophy of a lightweight platform. Thanks to the direct, precise control of individual wheel speeds, high flexibility is achieved, complemented by the low mass and inertia of our chassis technology.
Based on this skateboard, vehicles can be produced that set new standards for the handling of electric vehicles."
"WATT EV's electric vehicle platform PACES provides the perfect foundation to fully exploit the potential of our innovative motor technology," explains Marko Lehtimäki, CEO of Donut Lab. "The exceptionally low mass of PACES ensures that our high-torque, high-power-density rim motors can fully unleash their potential and provide a driving experience that would not be possible with heavier platforms.
Combining precise direct drive control with WATT's expertise in lightweight construction results in something truly revolutionary: a vehicle architecture that is lighter, more efficient, more powerful, and infinitely more attractive to drive."
Thanks to its modular design, the WATT-Donut Lab skateboard platform is suitable for a variety of vehicle types and applications across different segments. The simplified architecture also reduces manufacturing complexity, minimizes maintenance throughout the entire lifespan, and lowers overall costs compared to conventional electric drives, making powerful electric vehicles more accessible for smaller manufacturers and niche markets.
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