I've ridden my fair share of electric motorcycles, but I've never had as much fun as I did on the Stark EX. Two of the things that Stark motorcycles have going for them are insane power and torque, but that ridiculousness also comes at the expense of some range. And so, Stark, never being one to wait around, has sought to get ahead of the range issue before it becomes more of a problem with the brand's next generation of motorcycles.
That's why Stark Future has signed a strategic partnership with EVE Energy, a global battery leader, to bring a new cell format into mass production, purpose-built for the next generation of Stark motorcycles. Like most electric motorcycle manufacturers, Stark used the conventional 21700 battery cell format, which was designed for cars. But going forward, it'll be using a new 26120 cylindrical cell, which is purpose-built for electric motorcycles.
The 26120 cylindrical cell is supposed to exploit the motorcycle chassis to maximize space efficiency and offer the ideal balance between extreme energy density, super-fast charging, and thermal control in motorcycle applications.
"To build the best motorcycles in the world, we shouldn't compromise the battery cell format by using compromised technology from the car industry," said Anton Wass, CEO & Founder of Stark Future. "With this new architecture, we're significantly increasing capacity and reducing weight while significantly improving charging time. This cell format will redefine what's possible in premium electric two-wheel performance."
We're constantly hearing about the next big thing in electric motorcycle performance, but Stark said it has already tested this technology and seen the results. Using prototypes at the brand's R&D facility outside Barcelona, the team saw a record-breaking density of 330 Wh/kg while maintaining 10-minute, ultra-fast charging capabilities, which points to the company setting a new benchmark for the EV industry, thanks to its partnership with EVE Energy.
The new cell also features an aluminum enclosure instead of a traditional steel one, which delivers better thermal conductivity, faster cooling, and reduces weight. This addresses another problem associated with electric vehicles, in general: weight. Although Stark models don't necessarily suffer from being on the wrong side of the scales, if the brand can make them lighter and more efficient, that's a win in both directions.
"EVE is proud to contribute our expertise in cylindrical cells. The 26120 cell format has incredible potential. We are proud to partner with Stark Future to bring this new format to life," said Dr. Liu, Founder &President of EVE Energy.
Stark will begin preparing for industrial-scale production of the 26120 cell in 2026. The company aims to integrate the new format into its next generation of on-road motorcycle platforms, and this has to be a big driving factor behind pursuing this technological advancement.
Stark's off-road platforms are already holding up to what most riders are physically capable of before they need a few minutes off the bike, leaving it to recharge, but riders will spend plenty more time riding on-road before needing a break.
