I have a ET Cycle 1000, I can say it climbs hills with no problem. We have a very long steep hill where I live and it goes up that with no problems.
As for the 55nm, not sure where you got that from, but I know there is only one bike shop up here in B.C that advertises it as that. I asked the gentleman that owns the shop where I bought mine about that and he did not know the actual number but he said that was wrong. He says it has more torque then his bike that he rides and I forget what he said his has. If you search it out pretty much all bike shops that sell this bike do not list a torque value. I did come across one bike shop that lists it a 70nm.
Bruce