The machine also features an advanced liquid cooling system, which uses a double circuit to regulate the different temperature needs of the battery pack and the motor/inverter. Ducati says that it also means the battery can be charged without needing to be cooled first, with an 80% charge taking around 45 minutes.
The carbon fibre shell of the battery pack also serves as a stressed part of the chassis, and there’s an aluminium front frame that weighs 3.7kg. The rear features an aluminium swingarm, while the rear subframe – which has the trail and rider seat built in – is made from carbon fibre.
There’s Ohlins suspension front and rear, with the rear system developed from the Superleggera V4 bike. There is a 338.5mm Brembo double steel disc brake on the front wheel, which a 220mm single Brembo disc brake at the rear. Teams will be able to option a rear brake control on the left handlebar, which riders can use as an alternative to the pedal brake.
The development of the bike has been aided by the Ducati Corse test team, with much effort going into creating a response from the throttle and electronic controls that is indistinguishable from existing Ducati racing bikes.
Vincenzo De Silvio, Ducati’s R&D boss, said: “The most important challenges in this field remain those related to the size, weight, autonomy of the batteries and the availability of the charging networks.”
He added that developing expertise within Ducati to address those issues “is already essential today to be ready when the time comes to put the first street electric Ducati into production.”
Ducati added that the “next objective” for the firm is to “study how to create, as soon as the technology will allow, a Ducati electric vehicle that is sporty, light, exciting and able to satisfy all enthusiasts.”
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