Ducati MotoE production is underway
After securing the contract to supply electric race bikes for the FIM Enel MotoE World Championship (replacing previous supplier Energica) for the 2023 to 2026 seasons, construction of the first units of Ducati’s ‘V21L’ began in December, with all 23 units to be completed by mid-February.
Ducati describe their V21L as the world’s most technological, refined and sophisticated electric motorcycle, utilising the resources of their in-house R&D engineers, as well as Ducati Corse personnel. Electronic technologies and chassis dimensions developed by Ducati Corse have been combined with design processes and production management seen on Ducati road bikes like the Panigale V4.
While only 18 examples of the V21L will actually be raced in the all-electric series, Ducati’s dedicated MotoE Racing Department will produce a further five as spares. Every unit will be built to the same standards as the Desmosedici GP bikes used in MotoGP and with which Francesco Bagnaia won the 2022 MotoGP World Championship.
Ducati took on the contract to supply the bikes for MotoE back in October, 2021, with the view of developing skills in electric motorcycle production for the racetrack that they can then apply to the street.
“This project is thoroughly studying the technologies of the future for the world of motorcycling,” said Ducati CEO, Claudio Domenicali. “It is an important area of experimentation, in which we are investing to build know-how, so that we will be ready when battery technology should allow the creation of an exciting electric road bike with the weight, performance and range that enthusiasts expect from a Ducati.
“We are embarking on this new adventure with the aim of developing the people and skills within the company to shape what the character of a future Ducati electric road bike might be.
“The MotoE project represents a decisive step for Ducati to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions on the product side, alongside research into synthetic fuels (eFuel) that can reduce the total CO2 emissions of internal combustion engines to zero.”
Once the entire V21L fleet is built, they will be tested by all nine of this year’s MotoE teams at a 3-day test at Jerez in March, with a further test at Montmelo in April, before the 2023 season gets underway at Le Mans on 12-14 May. This year’s season runs over eight rounds, all held alongside MotoGP rounds.
