SHAKE UP FOR MotoE

It should have been blockbuster news. Energica, long time supplier of electric motorcycles to MotoGP’s MotoE class, is bowing out of racing. Hot on those heels came the announcement that Ducati was taking over the single marque electric motorcycle racing series. Like I said, headline news.

But why? Or perhaps, more appropriately, why now?

Well, when in doubt, I always follow the numbers. And the first thing to know is that despite its MotoGP affiliation as well as projections of fantastical growth, Energica remains a tiny company. estimated its 2019 global sales at 140 units and preliminary says they only sold about 250 units in 2020. Again, that’s worldwide. The company’s gross revenue is barely $10 million (resulting in a loss of about $9 million). Not exactly a company poised to push forward electric motorcycle technology.