QuantumScape and Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary PowerCo showcased a motorcycle powered entirely by solid-state batteries at the IAA Mobility 2025 show in Munich, presenting the first integration of the technology into a functional vehicle.
The modified Ducati V21L runs on QuantumScape’s QSE-5 battery cells, manufactured at the company’s pilot line in San José using its proprietary Cobra process.
“Today we’ve crossed the threshold from possibility to reality,” said Dr. Siva Sivaram, president of QuantumScape.
Long seen as a leader in anode-free solid-state batteries, QuantumScape collaborated with Ducati, which contributed its motorsports expertise for the demonstration. The company said its QSE-5 cells can charge from 10% to 80% in about 12 minutes while delivering high energy density and long cycle life.
“Solid-state batteries will redefine what’s possible for high-performance, premium vehicles, and today’s historic demonstration is just the beginning,” said Frank Blome, chief executive of PowerCo.
To support industrialisation, PowerCo plans to invest another $131 million in QuantumScape over the next two years. The milestone-based agreement is aimed at advancing pilot production and scaling output to gigawatt-hour levels, with the goal of eventually powering future Volkswagen and Ducati vehicles.
Source: Volkswagen, QuantumScape
