More range: New 630 Wh Shimano battery and new display for all Shimano-STEPS motors
Shimano just released three new batteries with a capacity of up to 630 Wh. The new external and two internal batteries should allow for even longer rides. What does this mean for those who already own an eMTB with the current Shimano system? Can the new battery be retrofitted? Another novelty is the compact combi display with integrated remote.
Shimano joins the global battery arms race and releases three new in-house batteries with a capacity up to 630 Wh. So far, the largest Shimano battery delivered 504 Wh. That said, there are already many eMTBs with a Shimano motor that draw their power from larger batteries with up to 1000 Wh. In these cases, however, the battery comes from third-party manufacturers, which sometimes leads to problems related to maintenance and warranty claims. The new internal BT-E8036 battery delivers 630 Wh and maintains the same shape of the current internal 504 Wh battery (BT-E8035). That being said, the battery is a few centimetres longer. And that’s exactly the problem: those few excess centimetres won’t allow you to replace your old battery with the new, more powerful version. Instead, the battery was developed to allow bike manufacturers to employ Shimano’s complete system on their newer bikes. The new BT-E8035-L battery, which has the same form factor and delivers 504 Wh, can be easily replaced with a 630 Wh version – a downgrade or quick swap to a smaller spare battery will be possible in the future. In addition to the two internal batteries, Shimano are also launching an external model, the BT-E8016. While this has also a capacity of 630 Wh, it is slightly bigger than its 504 Wh counterpart. For this version, however, bike manufacturers will have to use a new battery holder. Once again, a quick upgrade isn’t an option. Shimano have not yet released a price list for their new batteries. Currently, an internal 504 Wh battery costs around € 600. All new batteries should be available from summer 2020.
Way more exciting for everyone who already owns an eBike with Shimano-STEPS motor: the new Shimano SC-E5000 combination display.
When it comes to cockpit setups, Shimano offers some of our favorite solutions. The modular system allows for relatively free configuration and always offers safe and stylish integration. There are various remotes and displays to choose from, all of which are compatible with one another. Until now, the remote and display always came as separate units. The new SC-E5000 display combines all controls in a compact housing. This is operated with the left hand and provides all the necessary functions. On top of that, the remote is compatible with all Shimano STEPS systems. Like the new batteries, the combination remote will be available from summer 2020 and should cost around € 110.
Our first impression
With 630 Wh, the new batteries strike a sensible balance between weight distribution and sufficient battery capacity. Having said that, the new batteries are not relevant for you right now, because they can’t be retrofitted to existing eMTBs with Shimano motors. We’re curious to see when the first Shimano bikes with large batteries will be available. Important: Don’t let the global battery arms race fool you! It’s not about getting the biggest possible battery but about focusing on your personal needs and area of application. Because a large battery doesn’t necessarily mean a better eMTB – what really counts is that the battery concept fits your purpose. In this article you’ll find all the relevant info about common battery systems. Our first impression of the SC-E5000 display remote unit is great: not only is it suitable for urban use, but also may work incredibly well on the cockpit of an eMTB.
More info at bike.shimano.com
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Words: Photos: Shimano
