The latest prototype Ducati MotoE electric motorcycle took to the track for the first time at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in Italy. This was right where the agreement with Dorna Sports was announced in October.
This Ducati prototype electric motorcycle will race in the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup electric race series from 2023. The prototype, code-named “V21L”, is the result of the joint work of the Ducati Corse team and the Ducati R&D engineers, led by Roberto Canè, Ducati emobility director.
The bike was taken out on track by Michele Pirro, a professional rider and Ducati test rider since 2013, who evaluated the technical characteristics and potential of Ducati’s first electric motorcycle.
Roberto Canè, Ducati emobility director, said: “We are experiencing a truly extraordinary moment. The first electric Ducati on the track is exceptional not only for its uniqueness but also for the type of undertaking; challenging both for its performance objectives and for its extremely short timescales.
“We are certainly not finished yet and know that the road ahead is still very long but in the meantime, we have laid a first important brick.”
Michele Pirro, Ducati test rider: “Testing the MotoE prototype on the circuit was a great thrill because it marks the beginning of an important chapter in Ducati history.
“The bike is light and already has a good balance. Furthermore, the throttle connection in the first opening phase and the ergonomics are very similar to those of a MotoGP bike.
If it weren’t for the silence and for the fact that in this test, we decided to limit the power output to just 70 percent of performance, I could easily have imagined that I was riding my bike.”
The most important challenges in the development of an electric racing motorcycle remain related to the size, weight and range of the batteries. Ducati’s goal is to make electric motorcycles that are high-performance and characterised by their lightness available to all FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup participants.
The focus of the project is to improve performance and contain the weight and the consistency of power delivery during the race. This will be achieved by further development of the cooling system.
Ducati’s experience in the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup will be fundamental to product research and development. The goal is to create, as soon as the technology allows it, a Ducati electric vehicle for road use that is sporty, light, exciting and able to satisfy all enthusiasts.
