Ducati’s MotoE V21L control bike updated for 2025 

The MotoE championship should prove more exciting this year. Ducati’s V21L control bike is now lighter and features an improved chassis and electronics.

The first tests of the new machine begin in a couple of days. Its initial outing is at the French GP on May 10.

Now in its third season of racing, the V21L’s mission is to study alternative technologies to ICE. And the electric motorcycle is put to the acid test on the same circuits as the MotoGP bikes use. 

It is an experimental project for Ducati. The firm is readying battery technology for a future without ICE power for motorcycles. 

Work on the V21L continues apace, with the delivery of the 23 motorcycles for the nine teams involved in the championship. Improvements for this year involve all relevant aspects of the bike. Performance increments have been confirmed by Ducati’s MotoE test rider, Franco Battaini.

Changes aim for less weight

The V21L battery pack features more advanced lithium-ion chemistry, with a higher energy density (5Ah compared 4.2Ah previously). There are now 192 fewer cells in the battery pack,  but the bike’s power is unchanged. One in every six cells was removed to retain the same weight distribution for the bike. However, its overall weight is reduced by 8.2kg. This change alone is expected to shave between three and four tenths of a second per lap. 

Traction Control is now more readily adjustable, turn by turn. Teams can define three different mappings, selectable by the rider. Different Traction Control calibrations are possible for each section of the track.

The V21L is slightly longer, by 4mm thanks to different steering bushings, improving stability under braking. Moreover, the swingarm pin is now height-adjustable, simplifying changes of gearing for each circuit.

In the second round, at the Dutch GP, the V21Ls will be fitted with a new rear rim. This saves another 600g in unsprung weight for improved agility.

Overall weight of the 2025 V21L drops from the 225kg to just over 216kg.

Testing begins at the end of this week on the Barcelona GP circuit, and in early May at Le Mans. 

There will be seven World Championship rounds, with 14 races in total. 

MotoE world championship locations and dates:

French GP (Le Mans), 9/10 May

Dutch GP (TT Circuit Assen), 27/28 June

Austrian GP (Red Bull Ring-Spielberg), 15/16 August

Hungarian GP (Balaton Park Circuit), 22/23 August

Catalan GP (Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya), 5/6 September

San Marino GP (Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli), 12/13 September

Portuguese GP (Autódromo Internacional do Algarve), 7/8 November