A GREAT STORY OF PASSION AND EMOTION
There are stories that transcend time. Magical, filled with passion, that bewitch you.
Ours has been exciting for 80 years and will continue to do so for all those who live for the adrenaline that only engines can provide.
It’s a story that goes through generations. A visionary tale. A story from the heart.
Times change, but not the philosophy and passion that drive the Polini family. The desire to overcome the limits, looking for new solutions to ensure better performance, always balanced with maximum safety and reliability. It is thanks to this commitment that Polini has become a world leader in the design and production of special parts for scooters and maxi-scooters.
From the small first workshop opened in Alzano Lombardo in the post-war years, Polini Motori has come a long way… both on the road and on the track, becoming a major family business now in its fourth generation. First with bicycles, then with 2T and 4T motorcycles, and now with electric motors.
1945 – The origins
It all begins in 1945. In post-war bicycles are the primary means of transportation for Italians.
Battista Polini, returning from the front, comes home and opens a small workshop specializing in bicycle manufacturing. It was here that an approach based on hands-on experience, craftsmanship and a deep understanding of materials took shape an approach that would become the foundation of the company.
The 1950s and 1960s: The Vespa and the Golden Years
During the 1950s, Italy experienced rapid growth and transformation. The Vespa became a symbol of the country’s post-war revival, representing a new era of accessible and modern mobility. And in the meanwhile, the Polini family also began to grow. Battista’s sons, Piero, Carlo, and Franco, developed a shared passion for engines, each specializing in different areas. Together, they formed a close-knit and complementary team.
The 1970s, 1980s and 1990s: from engine tuning to an international benchmark
In the 1970s, in the Bergamo area, long renowned for its strong manufacturing and mechanical engineering tradition, the passion for engines naturally extended into racing. Piero competed on the track, while Carlo and Franco focused on developing vehicles, constantly seeking the perfect balance between performance and reliability. This led to the creation of the first complete engine tuning kits, applied to a wide range of engines and components. Their success was immediate, paving the way for the official birth of Polini, with the opening of its first retail store and the start of production.
During the 1980s, growth accelerated: the company expanded, the product range in the catalogue increased and the manufacturing facilities evolved, leading to the move to a larger headquarters. Polini transformed from a small artisan workshop into a fully industrial company while preserving the same engineering-driven approach that had always defined it.
In the 1990s, innovation continued with projects such as the Polini Minibikes, true miniature racing motorcycles that helped train an entire generation of riders, including Valentino Rossi. Their success also led to the development of minicross bikes and outstanding achievements in scooter circuit racing, further strengthening the brand’s position in the world of motorsport.
The 2000s: global growth and new projects
With the arrival of the new millennium, Polini strengthened its international presence in an increasingly global and high-profile motorsport environment. The growing popularity of MotoGP and the expansion of its worldwide audience significantly increased the brand’s visibility across international markets.
In 2004 the company inaugurated its new headquarters in Alzano Lombardo, a modern, state-of-the-art facility that marked a key milestone in its industrial growth. At the same time, initiatives such as the Polini Italian Cup were launched to make motorcycle racing more accessible to young riders. The company also introduced innovative projects such as the Polini Thor engines, designed specifically for the powered paramotors market.
The 2010s: towards a new green mobility
During the following decade, the mobility sector underwent profound changes, with growing attention focused on sustainability and technological innovation. Polini embraced this transformation while remaining true to its engineering heritage and commitment to developing advanced mobility solutions.
In 2016, at the CosmoBike Show, Polini presented the E-P3, its first in-house developed e-bike drive system, 100% Made in Italy. This marked the company’s official entry into the electric mobility market and represented the natural evolution of decades of expertise in internal combustion engine technology.
The 2020s: The evolution of the E-P3 e-bike system
In recent years, the Polini e-bike ecosystem has continued to evolve. With the launch of the E-P3+ in 2022, the system introduced more advanced electronics and more precise power management, delivering smoother assistance and greater riding control.
Between 2023 and 2024, digital integration became a central focus. The Polini E-Bike App expanded the system’s capabilities, allowing riders to manage motor maps, monitor ride statistics, perform diagnostics and interact with the display, creating a more complete and personalized riding experience.
In 2026, the E-P3+ EVO2 was introduced as the latest evolution of the ecosystem, offering further improvements in responsiveness, performance and system management flexibility.
Today and tomorrow
The numbers speak for themselves: 80 years of history spanning multiple generations, more than 5.000 products in the catalog, 100 employees, over 1.000 distributors worldwide, and exports to more than 60 countries. Now led by its fourth generation, Polini continues to build on a legacy that bridges past, present, and future.
Driven by its founding philosophy of “make the best even better,” the company continues to pursue new goals and challenges every day. Today, just as in the beginning, Polini remains powered by a deep passion for engines, with the ambition of bringing its 100% Made in Italy products to customers all over the world.
Polini E-Bike represents the natural evolution of this story: a journey that continues to grow over time, applying decades of motors expertise to create a new generation of mobility that is more efficient, sustainable, and seamlessly integrated.