Ducati MotoE V21L Electric Prototype Revealed

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Alex de Angelis pilots Ducati’s first-ever electric prototype, the V21L, at Vallelunga Circuit. De Angelis joins Michele Pirro as an official MotoE testbike rider. (Ducati/)

Ducati has released the first official video of its much anticipated electric MotoE prototype, code-named the V21L, in action.

The video shows former MotoGP rider and 2019 FIM Enel MotoE competitor Alex de Angelis piloting Ducati’s first-ever electric motorcycle at the Vallelunga Circuit just north of Rome. De Angelis joins the test team alongside Michele Pirro, an official Ducati test rider since 2013, who first tested the V21L at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in December 2021.

The ongoing testing focus for the future MotoE World Cup platform is to optimize the containment of weight and power delivery consistency for race settings. The Ducati Corse team has worked closely with Ducati R&D engineers, led by Ducati eMobility Director Roberto Canè, to develop the V21L prototype.

“Ever since we took the Ducati MotoE prototype to the track for the first time, development work on the project has never stopped, not even for a moment,” Canè says. “The hard work of the whole team is paying off for the efforts made through continuous progress, which is giving us great satisfaction. In just four months, our prototype has already tackled the curves of some of the main Italian circuits, providing positive responses. There is still a lot of work to do, but the direction is certainly the right one.”

The nonstop workflow is essential as the Borgo Panigale OEM becomes the sole supplier of motorcycles for the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup beginning in 2023.

“The MotoE project is undoubtedly an important step in the company’s history as it represents the start of the Ducati electric era,” says Ducati.

Expect additional updates with video in the future as Ducati continues its race-focused efforts to optimize its first-ever electric motorcycle for the MotoE World Cup.

Ducati remains hush on the official details of the V21L. Its name is likely related to the year of the project. As for the V and the L, who knows?

We see from the photos and video that the prototype uses a central monocoque-style chassis, liquid-cooling for the motor and electronic components, an Öhlins rear shock, and many carbon fiber pieces, including the swingarm, seat support, and bodywork.

The ultimate goal of all of this testing, besides a race focus, is the creation of a Ducati electric motorcycle for road use that is “sporty, light, exciting, and able to satisfy all enthusiasts.” Ducati has said repeatedly that the current state of electric motorcycles does not meet the company’s demand for performance. The development of the V21L, which likely taps into the electric expertise of parent company Volkswagen Group, is certainly a step in the right direction for Ducati as it continues to play to its strengths: optimizing the platform through racetrack development before delivering a street-ready motorcycle.

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