Ducati has reaffirmed its commitment to the future of electric motorcycles by unveiling the V21L prototype, equipped with advanced solid-state batteries. The announcement comes as the FIM MotoE World Championship enters a hiatus after the 2025 season, giving the company more room to focus on developing alternative technologies to internal combustion.
The Ducati MotoE project was launched to build internal expertise and prepare for the moment when battery technology could support the creation of a fully electric road bike that aligns with Ducati’s performance-driven values.
Over the course of three years in MotoE racing, Ducati has gathered significant amounts of data from 18 riders competing on the grid. This testing phase allowed engineers to make notable progress in battery design, including an 8.2 kg reduction in the weight of the V21L battery pack. While this represents a meaningful improvement, Ducati acknowledges that current technology still does not provide the weight-to-performance balance needed to match an internal combustion MotoGP bike with adequate range.
To address this challenge, Ducati has partnered with other companies within the Volkswagen Group, including Audi and PowerCo, to study and test new battery solutions. The focus is on developing higher energy density packs capable of delivering both lighter weight and greater efficiency.
On September 8th, Ducati presented the first prototype of the V21L featuring QuantumScape solid-state batteries at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. This collaboration marks an important milestone in Ducati’s research, confirming the company’s active role in exploring technologies that could define the future of high-performance electric motorcycles.
Ducati describes the prototype as a first step in a long-term journey, reinforcing its vision of innovation and readiness for the eventual transition to electrification while staying true to the brand’s racing DNA.
