2020 Energica Ego and Energica EsseEsse9 spotted on charge

The revised 2020 Energica Ego and Energica EsseEsse9 has been spotted out on test by eagle-eyed spy bods ahead of what we anticipate will be a reveal at Milan’s EICMA motorshow in November.

Though Energica is a relatively young company having been borne in 2012 (under the umbrella of the Italian manufacturing company, CRP Group) and only been selling motorcycles since 2015, it has established itself as a forerunner in the e-motorbike movement.

Indeed, while EICMA 2019 is likely to showcase several new e-motorcycles – or at least allude to the future direction of mainstream manufacturers – Energica is already at ‘round two’ with its zero emissions models as it prepares its second-generation Ego, EsseEsse9 and presumably also the Eva.

The spy shots published first by Moto in Italy show relatively few cosmetic changes under that snazzy livery, but the reprofiled battery housings have a hint of MotoE about them [see below] suggesting there has been a fair amount of fiddling – software updates – to improve efficiency, speed and range, which in turn suggests the entire range is getting an upgrade in the sparky bits.

Amusingly, given the long history of motorcycles being snapped in the ‘nuddy’ during fuel fills over the years, these Energicas were – fittingly enough – spotted as they were being re-charged.

Energica riding the crest of a MotoGP wave

The revised Ego comes as the bike receives global notoriety through its use in the inaugural MotoGP-supporting MotoE World Cup, which kicked off in June as the first-ever international electric racing series.

Having recovering from a disastrous start to the project when the entire Energica MotoE fleet was destroyed in a fire, the championship belatedly kicked off at the Sachsenring, where the racing was praised for delivering close, exciting competition.

The first time Dorna has run a ‘formula’ based series with identical bikes, importantly the Ego has proven reliable with positive feedback from riders for its grip and responsiveness, despite the evident disadvantages compared with a honed racing bike (weight, brakes, range).

We would assume some of that investment into the MotoE project mechanically will be filtering into the Ego range at least, whether that comes in the form of a racing specification range-topper like the Ego45 or if it being developed for standard use across the Energica range.

Will Energica have more to show at EICMA?

It’s safe to assume Energica is preparing for a big week at EICMA this year to capitalise on the substantial MotoE publicity it is receiving now. 

Even so, it could save a new Ego for a MotoGP event and instead use EICMA to focus on a range of smaller, cost-effective motorcycles it is building in conjunction with Dell’Orto. The pair confirmed earlier in the year of their plans to develop a cost-cutting, shared platform which will form the basis of a new 30kW bike (A2 equivalent). 

Indeed, though the Ego and Eva are admittedly at the upper end of a premium cost scale (the price of pioneering the technology), the growing European infrastructure for electric motorbikes and the general lethargy of big manufacturers to commit makes the firm increasingly attractive to a growing marketplace.

Moreover, as well as having a big head-start, its prices – a major sticking point for the current range - are likely to come down as it refines the technology.

In short, we’re expecting big things from Energica come November.