Energica: a story of passion and success
Author: Marco Ghezzi | This article is a collab between Marco Ghezzi, an Italian journalist focused on promoting electric mobility through the eV-Now! Foundation[1] and THE PACK.
Energica isn't just a company, it is a vision. A vision of a quieter, faster, and more sustainable future.
In 15 years of passionate work, successes, and groundbreaking technological innovations, the Energica team proved that their motorcycles, "proudly built in Modena" aren't just the future, they're already the present of electric two-wheel mobility. But now, this incredible industrial and technological legacy is at risk due to a lack of investors. What's next?
Could there be someone on the horizon ready to believe in this vision once again and continue Energica's legacy? While we wait for answers, here's a summary of its remarkable journey.
2009 - The first seeds of the Company
Energica was born as part of the CRP Group, a company with fifty years of history, closely tied to Formula 1 and NASCAR racing. In the early 2000s, CRP Racing was founded as an independent company competing with traditional internal combustion motorcycles in the Moto2 and 125cc categories.
During that time, it achieved numerous victories and strong placements in the 125cc MotoGP World Championship. In 2009, an innovative project in the field of electric motorcycles was conceived, and in just six months, a fully electric racing motorcycle was created. This was the eCRP, which participated in the TTXGP, the first zero-carbon-emission motorcycle world championship. The project was a success: in just two years of development and innovation, the eCRP secured second place as World Champion in 2011 and first place as European Champion in 2010.
2011-2018 The turning point years
The eCRP team began working on a road-legal version of their electric motorcycle. The result was the EGO, the first high-performance electric motorcycle approved for street use.
It was officially unveiled at EICMA 2012, and early press tests hailed it as a true electric revolution. In 2014 Energica Motor Company was officially founded, and in 2015 a second model was introduced: the Streetfighter Eva, developed on the same technological platform as the EGO.
These models were technologically advanced, being the first and only electric motorcycles to feature DC fast charging and holding three international patents related to the battery, eABS, and VCU. That same year, the company expanded its sales network across Europe and the rest of the world, and the U.S. Division, Energica Motor Company Inc., was established, with dealerships on both the East and West Coasts. In 2016 a new factory was built in Soliera and in 2017 another model was unveiled: the EsseEsse9, the first electric naked motorcycle inspired by 1960s design.
The following year, it was awarded Best Electric Motorcycle of the Year.
2019-2021 Major sporting and commercial successes
Significant achievements come from racing. Energica becomes the sole manufacturer for the FIM MotoE(TM) World Cup, the fully electric class of MotoGP. The company supplies 18 specially designed EGO Corsa motorcycles, none of which encounter technical issues, earning praise for their reliability and performance. The EGO also remains the only production electric motorcycle to race and complete the Isle of Man circuit.
In 2023 another milestone is reached with participation in the MotoAmerica Super Hooligan Championship using the Eva Ribelle RS.
This marks an unprecedented challenge as Energica becomes the first and only electric motorcycle manufacturer to compete in a championship against internal combustion engine motorcycles. The Eva Ribelle makes history by securing 2nd place at COTA and finishing the championship in 4th place. Meanwhile, growing international sales establish Energica as a global leader in the electric motorcycle sector.
This success is complemented by significant technical improvements to the motorcycles. Leveraging knowledge gained from racing, Energica introduces a new 21.5 kWh battery pack. Lighter and more powerful, together with the new EMCE motor--which boasts reduced weight and increased efficiency--it ensures the longest range of any electric motorcycle.
2022-2024 From new investments to judicial liquidation
In 2022, Energica introduces the Experia, the ultimate green tourer and the world's first fully electric sport-touring motorcycle, designed from the ground up.
Along with the new EMCE motor, it features improved battery chemistry, fast charging, extended range, and a new chassis design to reduce weight and enhance balance and handling. The launch of the Experia and the need for greater industrialization of production processes require new resources.
The American fund Ideanomics invests over £100 million to support Energica's growth and agility. However, by 2023, the downturn in the electric vehicle market and the automotive supply chain begins to impact Ideanomics, compromising its ability to invest further in Energica. As funds freeze, Energica is unable to sustain production, leading to judicial liquidation in October 2024. This marks a paradoxical situation: despite the company being effectively halted, it retains an active customer portfolio, numerous orders, and significant contracts with foreign institutions for police fleets. Is this truly the end of Energica's story, or is there more to come?
References
- ^ eV-Now!
Foundation
(www.ev-now.org)