With the FIM MotoE World Championship on hold after the 2025 season, Ducati isn’t slowing down. Instead, the Italian brand is doubling down on its research into electric motorcycles, aiming to be ready the moment battery tech truly catches up.
The MotoE project has always been about more than just racing – it’s Ducati’s way of building in-house expertise for the future. And in those three years of MotoE competition, the brand has learned plenty.
Lessons from the Track
Eighteen riders, countless races, and mountains of data later, Ducati has been able to shave 8.2 kg off the V21L prototype’s battery pack. That’s no small feat. But even with this progress, an electric superbike still can’t quite match the lightweight punch and range of a traditional combustion-powered MotoGP machine.
Enter Solid-State Batteries
To bridge that gap, Ducati has teamed up with Volkswagen Group companies, including Audi and PowerCo. At the recent IAA Mobility show in Munich, Ducati unveiled the first prototype of the V21L equipped with QuantumScape solid-state batteries.
This prototype represents a major milestone. Solid-state tech promises higher energy density, meaning lighter, more powerful, and longer-lasting battery packs – exactly what electric motorcycles need to compete with their petrol-powered siblings.
A Glimpse of the Future
The V21L solid-state prototype isn’t production-ready just yet, but it shows where Ducati is heading. For a brand that lives and breathes racing DNA, the move towards electric doesn’t mean sacrificing performance – it’s about redefining it.
Conclusion: Ducati’s Electric Road Ahead
Ducati’s work on the V21L and its collaboration with VW Group partners is proof that the future of superbikes won’t be limited to roaring engines alone. With solid-state batteries in the mix, we’re looking at a new era where electric motorcycles could finally stand wheel-to-wheel with their combustion counterparts.
For now, it’s a waiting game – but Ducati seems determined to ensure that when the switch flips, it’ll be ready to lead the charge.
