Electric motorcycles have been around for quite some time, but have yet to gain traction and popularity like electric cars. There are a lot of new and bold electric bikes out there. But most are confined to commuter-level performance, or at most, packing entry-level sports bike muscle, but for exorbitant prices. This significantly reduces its desirability levels, too.
However, all of this is set to change because Ducati, via the Volkswagen Group, has unveiled a wild new all-electric racebike concept featuring the world’s first near-production-ready solid-state battery pack. The buzz around solid-state batteries has been ongoing for some time now. With the Ducati electric racebike prototype, we are one step closer to seeing an all-electric sports bike with similar performance levels to a 200+ horsepower supersport, minus the heating, charging, and energy retention complications that have long plagued Li-ion battery packs in vehicles.
Ground-Breaking Battery Technology On A Ducati Racebike
This Solid-State Battery-Powered Ducati Is Based On The V21L FIM MotoE Racebike
The all-electric FIM MotoE World Championship debuted in 2019, primarily utilizing Energica Ego Corsa-based racebikes. But that changed to Ducati in 2023, with the V21L all-electric racebike taking the center stage. This was the perfect testing ground for Ducati to push the boundaries and limits of all-electric performance bikes. Over the last two years, with the help of 18 riders and numerous races, Ducati has been able to significantly evolve the battery pack of its electric prototype racebike, notably by shaving 18 pounds.
However, the evolution was not revolutionary enough to make the all-electric Ducati match the performance and lightweight appeal of the gas-powered monsters like the Panigale V4. However, this seemingly impossible feat is not a distant dream anymore, as the first-ever electric Ducati sports bike with the first-ever vehicular-grade solid-state battery pack has been unveiled at the IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich. The battery pack is equipped with QuantumScape solid-state batteries, which were developed in collaboration with Audi and PowerCo, a Volkswagen Group-owned battery company.
Advantages of Solid-State Batteries
- Higher energy density
- Compact form factor
- Superior riding range
- Faster charging times
- Longer lifespan with more charge cycles
- Wider temperature stability for consistent performance.
Ducati Is Closer To Creating An ICE 200+ Horsepower Sports Bike Electric Equivalent
Despite the promise of many supersport-level electric motorcycles, we currently have just one that graces the 200-horsepower mark—the Verge TS Ultra. While the performance levels of the most powerful electric motorcycles today are commendable, the riding range and charging times are still areas that need work. This is where the electric Ducati prototype with a solid-state battery pack steals the show.
In theory, the advantages of solid-state battery technology should notably enhance the riding range and offer rapid charging times, while also providing optimum performance for longer durations with a consistent discharge rate of the battery, unaffected by temperature fluctuations. The Ducati V21L prototype with a solid-state battery pack offers 844 watt-hours per liter, a 10–80 percent charge in just over 12 minutes, and the ability to deliver consistent and continuous race-grade performance without fading due to extreme temperatures. This might finally be our first-ever glimpse of an all-electric Panigale. This electric bike is wild and aggressive enough to be worthy of the exotic Ducati nameplate.