Barcelona, Spain — January 2026 — Stark Future, the world’s fastest-growing motorcycle company, has entered a strategic partnership with A123 Systems (A123) to industrialize the 26120 cylindrical lithium-ion battery cell for next-generation electric motorcycles. Purpose-built around the packaging and performance realities of two-wheel platforms, the 26120 format delivers step-change gains in energy density, ultra-fast charging, and thermal management—surpassing the limitations of car-derived battery cells.

Unlike conventional 21700 automotive cells, the 26120 geometry leverages motorcycle chassis width to maximize volumetric efficiency while reducing module complexity. The result is lower mass, simplified pack architecture, and cleaner thermal pathways. An aluminum cell enclosure further enhances heat transfer while reducing weight, enabling sustained high-power operation across off-road and street applications. Target performance includes approximately 330 Wh/kg energy density and 10–15-minute ultra-fast charging, setting a new benchmark for premium electric two-wheelers.

"A123 has always focused on the high-power lithium-ion battery technologies," said Dr. Jack Li, General Manager of A123. "The development of the 26120 not only fully demonstrates the technical advantages accumulated by A123 over the long term but also reflects our courage and capability to continuously pioneer and innovate in emerging fields."

“Motorcycles deserve their own battery architecture, not hand-me-downs from the car industry,” said Anton Wass, CEO & Founder, Stark Future. “With 26120, we unlock capacity and reduce weight while improving charge time. It’s a step change for electric performance.”

With 26120 prototypes currently under test at Stark Future’s Barcelona R&D center, the company plans to integrate the format into future platforms, reinforcing its position at the forefront of high-performance electric motorcycle technology.

As part of its long-term platform strategy, Stark Future selected A123 as a series-supply partner for the 26120 format, aligning advanced cell design with scalable industrial manufacturing. This partnership supports Stark’s ability to move rapidly from validation to volume production while ensuring performance continuity across products and regions.

A123’s proprietary high-power powder technology is engineered for high-rate discharge and rapid charge acceptance with inherently stable safety characteristics. Its low-impedance cylindrical architecture optimizes the jelly-roll design, tabs, and current collectors to minimize internal resistance and heat generation at high C-rates. The aluminum can functions as an integrated heat spreader, simplifying pack-level cooling and sustaining output across extended motos or repeated race heats.

Integrated safety features include advanced separators, controlled venting mechanisms, and pack-level BMS logic—covering cut-out, fault isolation, and real-time cell monitoring—tailored for motorsport environments. This foundation supports aggressive fast-charge profiles, long cycle life under partial-state-of-charge operation, and proven durability under vibration, shock, and wide temperature swings, meeting the demands of off-road and all-weather riding.

Demand for large cylindrical cells in electric two-wheelers accelerated sharply in 2024, with shipments increasing by approximately 150%, positioning the 26120 format as a timely and scalable platform for next-generation electric motorcycles.

About Stark Future

Stark Future is a Barcelona-based premium electric motorcycle manufacturer redefining performance and sustainability in the powersports industry. Founded in 2020, the company has grown to become the fastest-growing Spanish company in history, combining cutting-edge technology with world-class design and engineering. Stark’s flagship model, the VARG, is the most powerful motocross bike ever created, delivering unmatched power, precision, and sustainability. With a rapidly expanding global presence, Stark Future’s mission is to accelerate the motorcycle industry’s shift toward sustainability by building motorcycles that outperform expectations on every level.

About A123 Systems

A123 Systems is a global battery innovator specializing in high-power lithium-ion technologies, fast-charge capability, and advanced safety engineering. With more than 20 years of R&D, 700+ core patents (including 500+ invention patents), three R&D centers and five laboratories across China, the U.S., and Europe, and approximately 80 GWh of production capacity, A123 supports leading automakers and premium mobility brands worldwide. Its motorsport heritage—including Formula 1 programs—and global R&D plus local supply model make A123 a natural partner for advanced cylindrical formats like 26120 in high-performance electric two-wheelers.