Home / Systems / Compatibility
6Shimano STEPS: drive systems, motors and batteries
The Shimano STEPS drive-system family: which motors it makes, their published torque ratings, and how its batteries are matched to the system.
| Maker | Shimano STEPS |
|---|---|
| Country | Japan |
| Founded | 1921 |
| Drive units listed | 6 |
| Peak torque (flagship) | 85 Nm |
| Motor types | Mid-drive |
| EP8 (DU-EP800) | 85 Nm, Mid-drive. The eMTB flagship, rated 85 Nm at about 2.6 kg, replacing the E8000. |
| EP6 (DU-EP600) | 85 Nm, Mid-drive. A heavier, lower-cost sibling of the EP8 with the same 85 Nm rating. |
| E8000 (DU-E8000) | 70 Nm, Mid-drive. The previous eMTB unit, rated 70 Nm, superseded by the EP8. |
| E7000 (DU-E7000) | 60 Nm, Mid-drive. A trail and trekking unit rated 60 Nm. |
| E6100 (DU-E6100) | 60 Nm, Mid-drive. A city and trekking unit rated 60 Nm. |
| E5000 (DU-E5000) | 40 Nm, Mid-drive. A compact, lighter city unit rated 40 Nm. |
Shimano, founded in 1921 and best known for bicycle transmissions, entered e-bike drives with the STEPS (Shimano Total Electric Power System) platform. Its drive units span city, trekking and mountain-bike use.
Shimano, Inc.
STEPS uses BT-E8010, BT-E8020, BT-E8035, BT-E8036 and similar in-frame and external batteries at 36 V nominal in 418, 504 and 630 Wh capacities. Two 630 Wh Shimano packs (BT-E8036 and BT-E8036-L) exist with different mounts, so the capacity alone does not confirm fitment: the model number must match.
Published drive units include EP8 (DU-EP800) (Mid-drive rated 85 Nm); EP6 (DU-EP600) (Mid-drive rated 85 Nm); E8000 (DU-E8000) (Mid-drive rated 70 Nm); E7000 (DU-E7000) (Mid-drive rated 60 Nm); E6100 (DU-E6100) (Mid-drive rated 60 Nm); E5000 (DU-E5000) (Mid-drive rated 40 Nm).
Sources: Shimano, STEPS e-bike drive units · Shimano, STEPS batteries · Wikipedia, Shimano (CC BY-SA)