In 2019, electric-vehicle upstart Bollinger Motors revealed the pure-electric B1 SUV and B2 pickup concepts. It placed a starting MSRP at $125,000 and started taking reservations, with production expected to begin later in 2022.
Unfortunately, Bollinger has changed course. It has officially “postponed” the consumer side of its business, refunded deposits, and refocused on heavy-duty commercial vehicles.
“This is a vitally important move for us, ’cause it enables us to continue our development of our technology, and make a real impact in the green future of automotive,” said Robert Bollinger. “We’re taking that knowledge and experience as we move into commercial development, making innovative trucks for Classes 3 through 6.”
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It’s a shame Bollinger has given up its quest to build funky off-road EVs. Given the increasingly competitive marketplace, it makes sense. I mean, GMC’s HUMMER EV went into full, on-time production and delivery. Ford F-150 Lighting is in production. And the Silverado EV has been revealed.
Why would Bollinger want to play that game? Bollinger was guaranteed to lose against the likes of Ford and GM. So, the shift to commercial vehicles is prudent. Moreover, take a look at the Bollinger renderings for its forthcoming EV chassis — ones it says have “endless upfit possibilities.”
Do you see what I see? That’s right: a platform for a really compelling mega-overlanding vehicle, like those from EarthRoamer or EarthCruiser. Bollinger could never make it in the consumer EV market, fighting the big establishment players. It might, however, stand a chance in the upfitter world. That is, until the big boys get there, too.
GM has said it’ll produce heavy-duty truck EVs by 2035. If Bollinger can get there sooner, it’ll have some clear air to make a place in the market.
I wish all the luck in the world to Bollinger. I hope it doesn’t spend all its time developing tow trucks. I hope it spends some time where its original intentions resided: off-road trucks.
