Bollinger Motors, once known for its ambitious plans to produce rugged, all-electric off-road vehicles, has successfully pivoted to the commercial truck market. The company’s new focus is the Bollinger B4, a Class 4 all-electric chassis cab designed to meet the demands of modern commercial fleets. This strategic shift marks a significant milestone for the company, which now has its first production vehicles rolling off the assembly line.
The B4: A Purpose-Built Electric Workhorse
The Bollinger B4 is not just a converted traditional truck, but rather a ground-up design specifically tailored for commercial use. It represents a departure from Bollinger’s initial plan to produce consumer vehicles like the B1 SUV and B2 pickup. The B4 is engineered with a focus on versatility, durability, and ease of upfitting, making it an appealing option for businesses seeking to electrify their fleets.
Key Features of the Bollinger B4
- All-Electric Powertrain: The B4 is powered exclusively by electricity, aligning with the growing trend toward sustainable transportation.
- Class 4 Designation: This places it in the medium-duty truck category, ideal for local and regional deliveries, construction, and various other commercial applications.
- Chassis Cab Design: The B4 is sold as a chassis cab, allowing for easy customization with different body types to meet specific business needs.
- Proprietary Chassis: Bollinger’s unique chassis design protects the 158-kWh battery pack and components while ensuring optimal weight distribution. The 40″ wide frame provides ample space for securely housing batteries and components between the rails, which also centers the weight low to improve driving dynamics.
- Payload Capacity: The B4 boasts a payload capacity of over 7,300 pounds, making it suitable for various hauling tasks.
- Range: It offers an average driving range of 185 miles on a full charge.
- Charging: The B4 supports both Level 2 AC and DC fast charging, ensuring minimal downtime for fleets. Level 2 charging can fully charge the battery in approximately 9 hours, while DC fast charging can complete the job in about 2 hours.
- Turning Radius: The quad-bend tapered frame enhances maneuverability, achieving a 46-foot turning radius, despite the 40″ frame width.
- Cab-Forward Design: The familiar cab-forward design provides enhanced visibility and frees up space behind the driver for more cargo.
Production and Availability
Bollinger Motors began serial production of the B4 on September 16, 2024, through a manufacturing partnership with Roush Industries in Livonia, Michigan. The first 25 trucks have already been delivered, generating over $4 million in sales. This marks a crucial step for the company as it enters the competitive electric commercial vehicle market. The B4 is available for order now, with a 3D configurator on the Bollinger website that allows users to visualize the vehicle with different customizations.
Bollinger’s Journey: From Upstate New York to the Motor City
Bollinger Motors was founded in 2015 in Hobart, New York, by Robert Bollinger. The company initially focused on developing the B1 all-electric SUV, showcasing a prototype in 2017. This was followed by the B2 pickup truck. The unique angular design of these vehicles gained significant attention. However, the company faced challenges in bringing these consumer vehicles to market.
In 2018, the company moved its headquarters to Ferndale, Michigan, also known as the Motor City. This strategic move allowed them to be closer to vendors and the skilled automotive workforce in the area. Robert Bollinger’s background includes a degree in industrial and product design, along with experience in building an organic cosmetic company which he eventually sold to fund his automotive dreams.
The Pivot to Commercial Vehicles
Recognizing an opportunity in the rapidly growing electric commercial vehicle sector, Bollinger shifted its focus from the B1 and B2 to commercial trucks. This pivot has proven to be a strategic move, as the demand for electric work trucks increases. The company states that they were driven by a desire to “have a more profound impact on the automotive industry”.
The Electric Class 4 Truck Market
The Class 4 truck market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the rise of e-commerce and the need for efficient, last-mile delivery solutions. Electric powertrains are becoming increasingly popular in this sector, fueled by government incentives and the desire for sustainable operations. The Class 4 segment is also seeing a shift, with projections indicating that by 2026, Class 4 electric trucks will represent the largest share of the medium-duty electric fleet in the U.S.
Market Trends and Competition
- Rising Demand: The surge in online shopping and e-commerce is driving the need for Class 4 vehicles for last-mile delivery.
- Government Incentives: Federal and state incentives are making electric trucks more affordable for businesses.
- Growing Competition: Several manufacturers, including RIZON (formerly Velocity EV) and Daimler Truck, are also launching electric trucks in the Class 4-5 categories.
- Sustainability Goals: Many companies are setting sustainability targets, which include electrifying their vehicle fleets.
Bollinger’s Strategic Partnerships
To support its growth, Bollinger Motors has forged several key partnerships:
- Roush Industries: This collaboration has enabled Bollinger to commence production of the B4 at Roush’s facility in Michigan.
- Mullen Automotive: In September 2022, Bollinger Motors became a majority-owned company of Mullen Automotive, Inc. This partnership has provided financial support and resources to scale production.
- Our Next Energy (ONE): Bollinger has partnered with ONE for battery packs, aiming to enhance the vehicles’ performance and longevity.
- Dealer Network Expansion: Bollinger Motors has established agreements with top commercial vehicle dealers like Anderson Motors, TEC Equipment, and Nacarato Truck Centers. They have also partnered with National Auto Fleet Group (NAFG) to make their trucks available to government agencies.
These collaborations are essential for Bollinger to strengthen its market presence and provide reliable sales and service support for its customers.
Bollinger’s Recent Milestones
Bollinger Motors has achieved numerous milestones recently that solidify its position in the EV market, including:
- Production Launch: The company began production of the B4 in September 2024.
- Regulatory Compliance: Bollinger has achieved FMVSS compliance, received a Certificate of Conformity from the Environmental Protection Agency, and has obtained CARB certification.
- Fleet Agreements: The company has secured contracts for 145 vehicles with Momentum Group, 70 with Doering Fleet Management, and 50 with EnviroCharge.
- Dealer Network Expansion: Bollinger has significantly expanded its dealer network, adding multiple service centers.
- Battery and Warranty Enhancements: They’ve partnered with Our Next Energy for battery packs and introduced full warranty coverage for the B4 chassis cab.
- Government Contracts: The company is offering its all-electric Class 4 B4 trucks to government agencies through a partnership with NAFG.
Conclusion
Bollinger Motors’ journey from an ambitious off-road EV startup to a producer of electric commercial trucks is a story of adaptation and strategic pivoting. The Bollinger B4 represents a significant step forward in the company’s mission to contribute to a sustainable future through innovative and versatile electric vehicles. With production underway, a growing dealer network, and key partnerships in place, Bollinger is well-positioned to make its mark in the rapidly expanding market for electric commercial vehicles.
