Ducati unveils the prototype announcing its first electric motorcycle. This will be entered in the MotoE championship and will announce a future 100% electric range.
Electric isn’t just for cars, as many might think. Indeed, in recent years, motorcycle brands have also been turning to this engine, like Harley Davidson with its Livewire launched in 2019 or Zero Motorcyle.
Today, the market is booming, and more and more manufacturers are getting into it. This is particularly the case of the legendary Italian manufacturer Ducati (which belongs to the Volkswagen group), which precisely reveals its first electric motorcycle prototype.
Ducati V21 L for competition
Known under the code name “V21 L”, this new creation heralds the very first electric motorcycle from the Italian manufacturer. It is then a racing version, which will be engaged in the MotoE championship, a competition launched in 2019 which takes place on the sidelines of the famous MotoGP. If Energica Motor Company was until then the official supplier of the motorcycles of the event, the firm now leaves its place to Ducati.
It is in this context that the latter unveils its first electric model, which should also serve as a rolling laboratory. The goal ? Test it in competition before offering electric series models for the general public. The final version of the prototype should be ready in the coming months and will take its first steps on the track during the 2023 season. It will then equip all the teams involved.
275 km/h and 150 horsepower
In its press release, Ducati reveals a lot of technical information on its electric motorcycle, which has a 150 horsepower engine and 140 Nm of torque, allowing it to reach a speed of 275 km/h. Integrated into the central part of the bike and housed in a carbon fiber casing, the 18 kWh battery can be recharged via a 20 kW socket. It would take 45 minutes to recover 80% autonomy. Its weight is displayed at 110 kg, against only 5 for the inverter and 21 for the motor. The whole system works with a voltage of 800 volts, like the Porsche Taycan or the Kia EV6. However, the Italian manufacturer has not announced the autonomy of its motorcycle.
With a contained weight of only 225 kg, this Ducati V21 L is equipped with an aluminum front monocoque frame. The subframe is made of carbon fiber. In addition to the braking system provided by Brembo, the electric motorcycle is also equipped with an adjustable Öhlins steering damper, as well as an inverted and pressurized fork from the same supplier.
If electric scooters are already well established, electric motorcycles struggle a little more. Manufacturers are working hard to offer you new models that combine performance and comfort. Here is a selection of the best electric motorcycles.
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