After seven years of racing, MotoE bows out of the MotoGP paddock. The FIM and commercial rights holder Dorna Sports have confirmed that the electric motorcycle series will be suspended following the 2025 season. The reason? Weak fan engagement and a lack of momentum in the performance e-motorcycle market.
Launched in 2019 as part of the MotoGP race weekend, MotoE was designed to showcase the potential of battery-powered sportbikes and give manufacturers a platform to demonstrate their technology.
Instead, the series struggled to find its audience. Unlike Formula E, which has carved out a niche in global motorsports, MotoE never gained significant traction despite producing close racing and crowning multiple champions.
Broader reality
“The truth is that we haven’t reached our objectives, nor has the industry associated with performance electric bikes,” said Jorge Viegas, president of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). “The racing has been really fantastic and I would like to thank all the riders and teams that have competed in MotoE, and of course Dorna.”
The decision reflects a broader reality in the motorcycle industry. Manufacturers have largely shifted their focus away from high-performance electric bikes and toward refining internal-combustion engines to run on sustainable fuels. MotoGP is aligning itself with the direction of synthetic fuels. By 2027, the series will run exclusively on 100 percent non-fossil fuels.
Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said the move does not diminish MotoE’s importance as a proving ground. “MotoE has delivered some incredible on-track action and crowned champions and winners, playing a valuable role in MotoGP’s mission to innovate,” he said.
“But as we continuously strive for innovation, we must also listen to our fanbase and observe market development. In doing so, together with the FIM, we have decided that the time is right to put MotoE on hiatus.”
Resurrection through solid state?
The series had its share of hurdles. For its first four years, MotoE relied on Italian manufacturer Energica to supply bikes. While praised for durability, the heavy machines were often criticized for their limited range.
Energica’s bankruptcy in 2024 underscored the fragility of the electric sportbike segment. Ducati, owned by Audi, took over as sole supplier in 2023 and was slated to continue through 2026, but the contract will now end early.
Still, the Volkswagen Group keeps investing in battery tech for bikes as it showcased the Ducati V21L at the IAA in Munich last week: its first vehicle with solid-state batteries. In the press communique, the brand refers specifically to a road-going version, and not a racing bike.
But with their lighter weight and higher density, the solid-state solution might be a game-changer and provide a future for electric motorbike racing. Both FIM and Dorna leave the door open to a revival. “We will continue to monitor and consult the direction of the industry to ensure the sport remains at the forefront of innovation,” Viegas said.
