Electric Racing Motorcycle with a Solid-State Battery: Ducati V21L

Ducati has unveiled a version of its V21L prototype featuring a solid-state battery. The motorcycle, which is now lighter, faster, and more durable, uses batteries from QuantumScape.

Two-wheeled giant Ducati, in collaboration with QuantumScape and PowerCo, has created the first motorcycle to use Volkswagen‘s solid-state battery technology with its V21L prototype. The prototype will serve as a test platform not only for Ducati’s MotoE racing series but also for Volkswagen‘s next-generation electric vehicle strategy.

Lighter, Faster, and More Durable

The Ducati V21L, which in its current form produces 150 horsepower and can reach speeds of approximately 273 km/h (about 170 mph) at the Mugello Circuit, is now equipped with a solid-state battery. Thanks to this battery, the V21L can charge from 10% to 80% in about 12 minutes. It also offers a higher energy density of 844 Wh/l while continuing to produce uninterrupted power at racing standards. The longer lifespan of the cells reduces performance degradation and increases durability.

Replacing the traditional 18 kWh battery system with 21700 cells are 980 QuantumScape QSE-5 cells. Thanks to a lithium-metal anode and a ceramic separator, these cells provide both a safer and more efficient energy storage solution.

According to experts, the reason Volkswagen is testing this technology in a motorcycle first is that motorcycles offer simpler and safer prototyping platforms. Although scaling solid-state batteries remains one of the biggest challenges for automotive giants, Ducati‘s move is proof that the technology has now moved beyond the laboratory. PowerCo, Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary, and the Silicon Valley-based QuantumScape plan to bring this technology to commercial use before 2030. While it is expected to become widespread in cars initially, it seems likely to appear much earlier in the world of sports and racing thanks to prototype motorcycles like the Ducati V21L.

QuantumScape has long been regarded as a pioneer of solid-state lithium-metal batteries in the electric vehicle industry. The QSE-5 cells developed by the company have been tested for years with investments from Volkswagen and production collaboration from PowerCo. With a license agreement signed last year, PowerCo acquired the rights to prepare the QuantumScape technology for mass production.

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