Other Batteries Introduction
But Shimano did not just introduce one new electric bike battery. The company has announced THREE new packs. The new Shimano electric bike batteries include the Shimano BT-E8036, BT-E8016, and the BT-E8035.
Two of these new batteries offer a large 630Wh capacity each, which is around 25% more capacity than the previously largest battery of the company. The higher capacity combined with the efficient nature of the pedal assist feature of the electric bikes (Shimano though, does not have a throttle option) would result in a fairly high range rating for electric bikes using the new system of Shimano.
While it is up to the individual electric bike manufacturers to provide their own unique range of ratings for their electric bikes that use Shimano’s motors and batteries, most of them will likely claim ranges of more than 100 miles or 160 km.
Shimano Powered Electric Bike
Here is an example, a Shimano-powered electric bike that we have previously reviewed used the Shimano’s old 504Wh battery and reached a maximum range rating of 93 miles or 150 km when the pedal assist feature is being used in the lowest setting. I completed a 37 mile or 60 km trip using medium to high levels of the pedal assist system and only drained half of the battery that time, this comes to show that the 93 mile or 150 km rating is more likely to be believable than some might initially think.
For those that do not need the extra range provided by the Shimano BT-E8036 630Wh battery, the new Shimano BT-E8035 would give the same 504Wh as this is previously the largest battery of the company. The smaller capacity would still be more than sufficient for most riders, but charges faster than a larger capacity battery. The battery of this model can reach full capacity if recharged for around four hours, according to Shimano.
Both the BT-E8035 and the Shimano BT-E8036 use an integrated design, meaning they almost disappear into the downtube of the bike. You will not even notice that it is there.
The third new battery that Shimano made, the Shimano BT-E8016, is also a very large capacity 630Wh battery, but the difference here is that it mounts externally, usually it is placed sitting on top of the downtube. This kind of format is becoming less popular because it would look bulkier in appearance. Although it already has the advantage of giving bicycle designers more freedom for where the battery could be placed. Including behind the seat tube or in other locations.
The Competitive Battery Component Supplying Industry
Shimano’s new larger capacity batteries bring the company in line with its competitors in the battery component supplying industry. Companies such as Bosch and Brose. Last summer Bosch released their new 625 Wh batteries. Effectively it is also the same capacity as Shimano’s new high-capacity packs. Not to be outdone, Brose followed just a few weeks after that with its own new 630Wh batteries. The announcement of Brose was particularly interesting. As the company had not previously produced an electric bike battery. Instead focusing solely on electric bike drivetrains with integrated motor,controller,display options .
All of these companies produce pedal assist-only electric bikes. which means that these large batteries can offer long ranges even when they are being used in higher-power pedal assist levels. For the throttle-enabled electric bikes. 500Wh of battery is considered to be more of an “entry-level,” while 600-700Wh is becoming fairly standard in the industry. The largest electric bike company in the US, which is Rad Power Bikes. They currently use 674Wh batteries on all of their throttle-enabled bikes.
We are even starting to see high-capacity electric bike batteries nearing 1,000Wh on higher powered electric bicycles with throttle-enabled drives. Such as the Juiced HyperScorpion electric bike.
While Shimano certainly is not going to be reaching those levels anytime in the future, one thing is for sure. They are not going to let the industry heavyweights like Bosch run away with the market. Or at least not without a fight.
