Ducati V21L Showcases QuantumScape Solid-State Battery Tech

Ducati is pressing ahead with electrification even as the FIM MotoE World Championship pauses after 2025.

The renowned motorcycling institution rooted in Bologna’s Borgo Panigale district has used said series as a laboratory to build the know-how needed for a future Ducati electric road bike.

Since becoming sole supplier in 2023, Ducati has used the V21L prototype to gather data from 18 riders across three seasons. The biggest gains came in the battery, where new 5 Ah cells replaced the previous 4.2 Ah units.

In turn, this cuts the pack size from 1,152 to 960 cells whilst preserving power and range, saving 8.2 kg and improving lap times by up to four tenths.

The next step came in Munich at IAA Mobility, where Ducati unveiled a V21L fitted with QuantumScape solid-state batteries developed with Audi and PowerCo.

Notably, the prototype was ridden on stage during Volkswagen Group’s press event, marking the first real-world demonstration of anode-free solid-state cells in a vehicle.

The QSE-5 cells deliver 844 Wh/L energy density, 10C continuous discharge and charging from 10-80% in just over 12 minutes. Beyond performance, they promise longer life, greater safety and lower cost. 

QuantumScape president and CEO Dr. Siva Sivaram called the moment a crossing of “the threshold from possibility to reality,” adding that the partnership with PowerCo and Ducati sets the stage for gigawatt-hour production. 

PowerCo CEO Frank Blome meanwhile described the demonstration as historic, saying solid-state batteries will “redefine what’s possible for high-performance, premium vehicles.”

Ducati has also refined the bike’s hardware. Traction Control is now adjustable curve by curve, with three selectable rider maps. New steering bushings add four millimetres of length for more braking stability, while an adjustable swingarm pivot allows teams to fine-tune chain pull effect. A lighter rear rim without false dampers cuts 600 g of unsprung mass.

Together, the updates reduce the V21L’s weight to 216.2 kg from the original 225 kg. Every gram saved sharpens performance, making the prototype quicker and more responsive on track.

For Ducati, MotoE has always been about preparation. An electric MotoGP bike - and championship for that matter - remains uncertain for now, but the progress with QuantumScape shows the direction forward. 

When solid-state batteries are ready for the road, Ducati intends to deliver an electric bike that carries the speed and soul of Borgo Panigale.