Austrian bike firm KTM has confirmed that it is working on an E-Duke variant of its long-running model line, which will be its first battery electric motorbike and offer performance similar to its 125cc bike.
The new machine from the long-established brand was revealed in an investor report from parent firm Pierer Mobility, outlining its electrification strategy. Pierer also owns the Husqvarna and GasGas motorcycle brands.
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Husqvarna has previous shown an E-Pilen concept bike (pictured below), previewing the first electric machine from the Pierer group, and that machine is set to share a frame and powertrain with the new E-Duke.
Both will be powered by a 10kW (15bhp) motor – which will give performance in-line with a 125cc bike – and draw power from a fixed 5.5kWh battery. The E-Pilen concept that was previously shown features an 8kW powertrain, but Husqvarna has said it would offer outputs ranging from 4kW to 10kW.
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The E-Pilen uses a trellis frame, upside-down fork and offset rear mono shock. Reports suggest the platform for that model has been designed for a series of products from both Husqvarna and KTM. Pierer appears to have chosen to trial its electric tech with the Husqvarna brand before moving it across to the more successful KTM marque.
The E-Pilen sports a signature trellis frame, upside-down fork and offset rear monoshock. While it was earlier showcased as an 8kW model, the company originally mentioned that there would be a power output window from 4kW to 10kW. This latest report states that the E-Pilen will feature the same 10kW motor and 5.5kWh battery pack as the upcoming E-Duke.
The Duke line of naked bikes first launched in 1995, and it is currently offered in a range of models and outputs.
The presentation also shows the firm is working on a KTM E10 youth dirt bike and a Freeride E LV.
The decision for the first electric KTM and Husqvarna models to focus on the entry-level section of the market differs from the likes of Harley Davidson’s spin-off brand Livewire, which began its electric range with a high-price, high-performance halo model.
But the E-Duke and E-Pilen are part of Pierer’s strategy to invest in the low-powered electric two-wheeler market. Pierer Mobility also offers a range of e-bikes through its Husqvarna, GasGas, Raymon and Felt brands, and is focusing on dominating the market for electronically powered two-wheelers ranging from 250W to 12kW in power.
Pierer expects e-bike sales to hit around 500 million globally by 2025. While it says it is too early to project the growth of the e-motorbike market by then, it is anticipating sales will grow substantially from current levels.
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