A little over a year after the first test with Michele Pirro at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, work has started on the V21L prototypes which will be the protagonists of the 2023 season of the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship. Production of the motorcycles began in December and all 23 units will be ready by mid-February. In addition to the 18 motorcycles that will be in the race, five spare units will be made available to the organization. Each prototype is assembled by expert technicians from the Ducati MotoE Racing department with the same process, precision and attention to detail typical of the high craftsmanship used to build a MotoGP prototype.
The start of production of the V21L prototypes represents the beginning of a new and important chapter in Ducati's history. For the company based in Borgo Panigale, this project was born with the aim of developing skills for its future, maintaining the approach that has always fueled Ducati's DNA: experimenting with technological solutions in the world of racing and working so that everything developed in this field can then be used on motorcycles aimed at enthusiasts around the world.
To do this, Ducati has created the most technological, refined and sophisticated electric motorcycle in the world, the result of the joint work of Ducati R&D engineers and the Ducati Corse team. The V21L is the MotoGP of electric motorcycles, combining electronic technologies and chassis dimensions developed by Ducati Corse with the design process and project management typical of a road motorcycle like the Panigale V4. It is the combination of the best skills from both worlds, racing and production, a prototype with which Ducati experiments in a world yet to be discovered, that of electric sports motorcycles.
Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati, commented: “The start of production of the Ducati MotoE is a historic moment for our company which, with this project, is studying in depth the technologies of the future for the world of motorcycles. This is an important area of experimentation, in which we are investing to build know-how, so that we are ready when battery technology should enable the creation of an exciting electric road motorcycle with the weight, performance and the autonomy that enthusiasts expect from a Ducati. We are therefore 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 model could be. The MotoE project represents a decisive step for Ducati to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions on the product side, alongside the search for synthetic fuels (efuel) capable of reducing total CO2 emissions from internal combustion engines to zero. Environmental sustainability is something that all individuals and businesses must consider as a priority if the delicate balance of the planet is to be preserved. Ducati is also committed to this at an industrial level, and the construction of the new Finitura e Delibera Estetica area classified as an almost zero energy building is only the latest example.”
After a year of development testing that saw Michele Pirro, Alex De Angelis and Chaz Davies take turns riding the V21L prototype, the Ducati MotoE project is moving closer to when the bikes will hit the track. The first test with the drivers and teams who will participate in the 2023 World Championship is scheduled for March 6, 7 and 8 in Jerez, followed by three more test days on April 3, 4 and 5 at the Montmelò circuit in Barcelona.
The race debut will take place during the French Grand Prix on Saturday May 13. The 2023 MotoE World Championship calendar is spread across eight Grands Prix with two races per weekend, both on Saturdays. After the French debut, the MotoE World Championship will be present in all subsequent European races until the Misano GP, so will continue at Mugello on the weekend of June 11, at Sachsenring the following weekend and at Assen on the 25th. June. After the summer break, the Ducati MotoE motorcycles will return to the track at Silverstone on August 5, before tackling the final three Grands Prix at the Red Bull Ring (August 20), Catalunya (September 2) and Misano (September 10).
