The Austrian firm KTM is not going to be left out in the development of electric models, and has already announced that it is working on it. And it will do so, for the time being, on access motorcycles equivalent to the current 125 cc. Leaving for later, the search for features that are in tune with the brand’s “Ready to Race” motto. Something that we already informed you about in Solomoto.es a few months ago.
Based on this idea, Pratyush Rout has developed for our Indian colleagues at Rusline a version of what the KTM Duke Electric 2023 could look like, called DUK-E, based on the sketch shown by KTM itself. And we must not forget the tremendous commercial success that KTM has in that country, nor its commercial agreement with Bajaj Auto. To the extreme, that this first range of electric motorcycles could well be manufactured in the facilities that the brand has in Pune, which will be used exclusively for the production of electric vehicles.
The future DUK-E is known to have a 5.5 kWh fixed battery (it will not be removable or interchangeable), and the propellant will reach 10 kW. That is, 13.5 CV, or what is the same, the power of a “one hundred twenty-five”. No official statement has yet been made regarding its autonomy, but it is normal for it to exceed 100 km with a full charge.
In fact, the CEO of KTM, Stefan Pierer, already said that electric motorcycles and scooters would focus on the urban environment and that for the rest they would continue to manufacture motorcycles with combustion engines.
This base would be the same as that of the Husqvarna E-Pilen, a brand belonging to the KTM group, and which we already knew about a year ago.
From a motorcycle design point of view, the proposed sketch maintains the aggressive lines of the entire KTM Duke family. With its particular front light cluster, sculpted tank, and very particular side panels. These could channel air towards the batteries to favor their cooling. The front and rear rims have different decorations on this future electric KTM.
The fork is inverted, the monoshock absorber is anchored directly to the swingarm and the braking, with discs on each train, would have ABS.
It may not be long before we see the first electric KTM, and 2023 could be the year it launches in Europe. Having as a target audience young people who are looking for affordable and sustainable mobility.