A new lightweight EV platform is taking shape as Donut Lab and WATT Electric Vehicle Company join forces to rethink how electric vehicles are engineered. By combining WATT EV’s ultra-lightweight PACES skateboard architecture with Donut Lab’s advanced in-wheel motor technology, the partnership aims to deliver unprecedented agility, efficiency, and software-defined driving dynamics. The modular platform is designed to support everything from high-performance sports cars to commercial EVs, with a functional prototype set to debut at CES 2026 in Las Vegas.
Announced this week, the partnership brings together Donut Lab’s high-power, direct-drive in-wheel motors with WATT EV’s PACES (Passenger And Commercial EV Skateboard) platform, an aluminium, module-to-chassis architecture designed for low mass and high adaptability. A functional skateboard prototype integrating the two technologies will make its public debut at CES 2026 in Las Vegas this January.
At the heart of the collaboration is a shared philosophy: reduce weight, remove unnecessary complexity, and use software-defined systems to unlock new levels of vehicle capability. By integrating Donut Lab’s motors and inverters directly into the wheels, the platform eliminates the need for conventional drivetrains, including driveshafts, differentials, and gearboxes. The result is a simpler, lighter system with fewer moving parts and improved efficiency.
A Lightweight EV Platform Built for the Future
Initially, the PACES platform will feature two direct-drive in-wheel motors on the rear axle, with a four-wheel-drive configuration planned for later in 2026. Each motor is independently controlled with millisecond-level precision, enabling highly advanced torque vectoring. This allows the vehicle to dynamically adjust power at each wheel, dramatically improving stability, traction, and cornering performance on both paved roads and loose surfaces.
According to WATT EV CEO Neil Yates, the integration marks a major step forward for the PACES architecture. “The direct, fine control of individual wheel speeds brings a level of agility that perfectly complements the low mass and inertia of our chassis technology,” Yates said. “This skateboard can produce vehicles that set new benchmarks for EV handling.”
The modular nature of the platform is equally significant. Designed as a flexible “skateboard,” PACES can underpin a wide range of vehicle types, from lightweight beach buggies and high-performance sports cars to commercial delivery vehicles, without the need to redesign core systems. For smaller manufacturers and niche brands, this approach lowers development costs and reduces time to market while maintaining high performance standards.
Donut Lab CEO Marko Lehtimäki emphasized how critical weight reduction is to unlocking the full potential of in-wheel motors. “The exceptional low mass of PACES allows our high-torque, high-power-density motors to truly shine,” he said. “When you combine our direct-drive precision with WATT’s lightweight engineering expertise, you create a vehicle architecture that’s lighter, more efficient, and far more engaging to drive.”
Beyond performance, the simplified architecture offers practical advantages. Fewer mechanical components mean reduced manufacturing complexity, lower lifetime maintenance requirements, and improved reliability. The platform’s software-defined driving dynamics also allow OEMs to fine-tune vehicle behaviour; whether prioritizing efficiency, off-road capability, or outright performance, through calibration rather than hardware changes.
WATT EV and Donut Lab will showcase the joint development on Donut Lab’s stand at CES 2026, where the working skateboard prototype will highlight how the two companies envision the next generation of lightweight, high-performance electric vehicles.
Why It Matters
This partnership signals a potential shift in how electric vehicles are engineered. By eliminating traditional driveline components and integrating motors directly into the wheels, Donut Lab and WATT EV dramatically reduce weight, mechanical complexity, and packaging constraints.
For manufacturers, the modular PACES skateboard lowers development costs and shortens time to market, particularly attractive for low-volume brands and niche vehicle programs. For drivers, independently controlled in-wheel motors unlock levels of torque vectoring, agility, and traction control that are difficult to achieve with conventional EV architectures.
In short, this platform isn’t just about efficiency or performance; it’s about freedom of design, software-defined driving character, and making high-performance electric vehicles more accessible than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new lightweight EV platform developed by Donut Lab and WATT EV?
It is a modular electric vehicle skateboard platform that combines WATT EV’s lightweight aluminium PACES architecture with Donut Lab’s direct-drive in-wheel motors, eliminating traditional driveline components.
How do in-wheel motors improve EV performance?
In-wheel motors allow each wheel to be controlled independently with millisecond precision, enabling advanced torque vectoring, improved traction, greater agility, and more precise handling compared to conventional electric drivetrains.
What types of vehicles can be built on this EV platform?
The platform is designed to support a wide range of vehicles, including lightweight recreational vehicles, high-performance sports cars, off-road EVs, and commercial delivery vehicles.
When and where will the platform be revealed?
A functional skateboard prototype will be shown at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, giving industry professionals a first look at the technology in action.
Why is lightweight design important for electric vehicles?
Reducing vehicle weight improves efficiency, handling, range, and overall driving engagement, while also lowering manufacturing complexity and long-term maintenance requirements.
CES 2026: What to Watch
Donut Lab and WATT Electric Vehicles will unveil a fully functional skateboard prototype of their joint in-wheel motor EV platform at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. The lightweight aluminium PACES platform integrates Donut Lab’s direct-drive in-wheel motors, showcasing millisecond-precision torque vectoring and software-defined driving dynamics.
Where: West Hall, Stand 5539
When: January 2026
Why it matters: This isn’t a concept rendering, it’s a working platform designed to underpin real-world production vehicles, from sports cars to commercial EVs.