Ducati's MotoE electric prototype already on track

Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali has revealed that a prototype of the factory's 2023 MotoE racer has already made its track debut.

GPOne.com reports that, during a meeting with Italian media, Domenicali revealed that Ducati's MotoGP test rider Michele Pirro was riding the bike at Misano.

An official unveiling of the electric machine could be made in the coming days.

The surprise news that Ducati would take over from Energica as the single MotoE supplier was made in late October, with Domenicali explaining:

"At Ducati, our core values are style, sophistication and performance so we decided to enter electrical mobility from the top and there is no better way than competition to test and learn.

"We want our engineers to become as good as they are at developing internal combustion engines and I think everyone can say our engine in MotoGP is one of the fastest, if not the fastest.

"For motorcycles the main problem [with electric] is the weight, and so we have a program in order to make the motorcycle as light as possible. I think that was one of the winning [parts] of our bid for Dorna."

Domenicali then told the Italian media that, "A separate racing department was created. A special working group. And in a few months a prototype was created.

"It is an envied group because it practically has carte blanche [to do what it wants with the design]."

MotoGP manufacturers have agreed to phase out fossil fuel in the premier class from 2024-2027 by switching to sustainable fuel (in conventional engines).

By also entering MotoE, Ducati is confident it can future proof its company by gaining expert knowledge of both electric and eFuel/biofuel technology.

The MotoE World Cup was formed in 2019, with Energica signing up to supply machinery for the opening four seasons.