The Ducati MotoE bike made its debut at the Misano World Circuit recently. The prototype of the e-motorcycle (codename V21L) was tested by MotoGP rider Michele Pirro.

Ducati’s first electric motorcycle has been developed to be race-ready, and from 2023, the motorcycle manufacturer will be the exclusive supplier for the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup, the electric class of the MotoGP World Championship.

The bikemaker’s plan is to make high-performance electric motorcycles that are light and offer a good range. Ducati’s experience in the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup will be instrumental in this project. The team has mentioned that this is a first prototype that’s nowhere close to the finished race bike, let alone the road-going derivative that Ducati has confirmed will go into production at some point.

Pirro came away impressed with the prototype. He said, “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. 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 [MotoGP] bike.”

This first electric motorcycle is a project by the Ducati Corse team and the Ducati R&D engineers, led by Roberto Canè, Ducati eMobility Director. About the bike breaking cover, Canè said, “We are experiencing a truly extraordinary moment. I find it hard to believe it is reality and still not a dream! We are certainly not finished yet; indeed, we know that the road ahead is still very long, but in the meantime, we have laid a first important ‘brick’.”

Going forward, Ducati’s goal is to create a road-focused Ducati EV that will be sporty, light, exciting and perfect for enthusiasts.