Ducati unveils solid-state powered electric motorbike at IAA Munich
At this year’s IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, Ducati, in collaboration with Volkswagen Group and QuantumScape, unveiled a groundbreaking milestone in electric mobility: the first live demonstration of a Ducati motorcycle powered by solid-state lithium-metal batteries.
A historic first
On stage, Ducati showcased a modified V21L race bike, marking the first time a two-wheeler has run with solid-state cells in a public event. This demonstration underscored the leap from lab-scale innovation to real-world application, positioning Ducati at the forefront of performance-driven electrification.
Revolutionary battery technology
The bike was equipped with QuantumScape’s QSE‑5 anode-free solid-state cells, manufactured using the company’s proprietary Cobra production process. This breakthrough method allows scalable production of advanced battery cells, a critical step toward mass adoption.
Key performance figures include:
- Energy density: 844 Wh/L, offering significantly more compact energy storage than conventional lithium-ion.
- Fast charging: 10% to 80% state of charge in just over 12 minutes.
- High discharge rate: continuous 10C, making it suitable for high-performance applications.
Collaborative innovation
This achievement stems from close cooperation:
- QuantumScape delivered the solid-state technology and production expertise.
- PowerCo SE, Volkswagen’s battery division, emphasized the importance of scaling gigawatt-hour production capacities.
- Ducati, under CEO Claudio Domenicali, validated how these battery characteristics align perfectly with the demands of sport motorcycles.
Looking ahead
The demonstration represents more than just a proof of concept. Ducati and its partners plan to advance toward track testing, refining performance under race conditions. Volkswagen Group has also confirmed its unified prismatic cell design will hit mass production soon, with solid-state batteries expected to reach cars and motorcycles later this decade.
For the electric motorcycle industry, this is a defining moment. Ducati’s entry into solid-state technology hints at a future where ultra-fast charging, higher energy density, and uncompromised performance could become standard in electric sport bikes.
Our German mediapartner SteckerBiker has a more detailed article (German language) about this new development:
Previous articles about Ducati and it’s new technology: