Ducati Launches into Electric Motorcycles with Exclusive MotoE Deal
The deal sets the stage for electric motorcycle tech to trickle down to consumers
October 28, 2021
By Kali Kotoski
Ducati has announced an exclusive deal as the sole supplier of electric motorcycles for the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup from 2023 to 2026. The deal, signed between Ducati and Dorna Sports, covers four editions of the MotoE World Cup and marks a historic move by the company known for its racing prowess.
“Ducati is always projected to the future and every time it enters a new world it does so to create the best performing product possible. We are working to make high-performance electric motorcycles characterized by their lightness available to all FIM Enel MotoE World Cup participants,” said Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, in a press release.
The goal of the agreement is to develop race-worthy electric motorcycle technology while conducting research and development in a controlled environment which will then be applied to consumer products, Domenicali added.
As Ducati forms part of the Volkswagen Group, the move fits in with Volkswagen’s 2030 strategy of pursuing electric mobility options and allows for collaboration in the field of electric powertrains.
The announcement of the agreement was made ahead of last weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
“We are very proud to announce Ducati as the new, single manufacturer for the FIM Enel MotoE World Cup,” said Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO Dorna Sports. “With their incredible racing history, it is an honor to welcome this commitment from one of the best-known manufacturers in the paddock and to take on this new challenge together. We are eager to see what the future has in store and continue to watch this technology develop and grow, with the MotoGP paddock and MotoE continuing to drive innovation and evolution in the motorcycling industry.”
As the first step for Ducati into the world of electric motorcycles, the most important challenges the company faces in development are those of size, weight, autonomy of the batteries and the availability of charging networks.
“The goal is to study how to produce, as soon as the technology allows, a Ducati electric vehicle that is sporty, light, thrilling and able to satisfy all enthusiasts,” the company said.
“I am convinced that once again we will build on the experiences we have had in the world of racing competition to transfer them and apply them also on production bikes,” Domenicali said.
