
Donut Labs Today, Zeekr Tomorrow: The EV Shift No One Sees Coming!
From Turn Down for Watt by Turn Down for Watt
January 13, 2026 · 1h 9m
About this episode
The episode discusses the controversy surrounding Donut Labs' battery technology and the future of EV production in the U.S.
On today’s Turn Down For Watt Podcast, we dive into the controversy surrounding the Donut Labs battery and ask the big question everyone is debating: Is it truly solid-state, or is it overhyped marketing bordering on a scam? We break down what solid-state really means, how it compares to current lithium-ion tech from CATL, BYD, and Tesla, and why battery terminology matters more than ever.We also unpack Ford’s announcement that autonomy will arrive with its affordable universal EV platform in 2027, while examining the very real struggles Ford and the broader industry have faced with EV profitability. GM isn’t alone in this pain, reporting a $1.7 billion EV loss last quarter and announcing another $6 billion write-off, while Jeep quietly canceled two plug-in models.At CES, one of the most under-the-radar stories came from Geely, the parent company of Zeekr, Volvo, Polestar, and Lynk & Co. With models like the Zeekr Z, 001, and 7X, plus their “Golden Brick” ultra-fast charging battery, we explore what it would mean if Zeekr begins U.S. production in South Carolina within 24–36 months—and how far behind U.S. automakers may be if current pullbacks continue.🔗 Check out our…
People in this episode
Host: Turn Down for Watt
Topics covered
- EV technology
- solid-state batteries
- automotive industry
- Ford EV platform
- Zeekr production
- battery terminology
Keywords
- solid-state battery
- EV profitability
- Ford
- Zeekr
- automotive news
- battery technology
- lithium-ion
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Donut Labs, CATL, BYD, Tesla, Ford, GM, Jeep, Geely, Zeekr
Products: Zeekr Z, 001, 7X, Golden Brick
Places: South Carolina
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