It's no secret that the world is going electric. Many states and companies, like GM, are committing to becoming fully electric by as early as 2035. Small companies and manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon to try to become the next big name in electric vehicles. One company, Bollinger, is aiming its sights on being the first Class 3 electric truck with its Bollinger B1 and Bollinger B2, set to release in late 2021.
Although it may look like a conceptual rendering of a classic Defender, the Bollinger B1 is a brand new Electric truck that may, or may not, give Tesla’s CyberTruck a run for their money.
Who's Behind Bollinger?
Founder Robert Bollinger studied industrial design at Carnegie Mellon University. He built and sold a successful organic hair-care product business, in which he then moved to a farm in upstate New York. While looking for a proper truck for his farm, he found he was unable to find one that fit his needs so he decided to create one and then sell it to the public. The market for electric trucks and SUVs has yet to be tapped.
First on the list of priorities was off-road capability. Any farm truck must be able to endure all types of terrain and abuse. Equally important to him though was the silence and efficiency of an electric motor.
The final result is a first Class 3 rated electric truck. Meeting this standard was important, not only because the pickup bed can haul 5,000 pounds, but it also lowers the standards for safety requirements. Money that can be saved for precious off-roading and load requirements. Although anti-lock brakes are required, stability control and airbags are not. The company still aims to ensure passenger safety, conducting simulated roof-crust tests and side-impact pole crashes.
At the moment, Bollinger’s two primary vehicles are the B1 and the B2. The B1 is the SUV body style while the Bollinger B2 is a pickup. Also to come is a flatbed version called the “B2 Chassis Cab,” a delivery van cleverly called the “Deliver E,” and an electric chassis with the pun “Chass-E.”
Powertrain & Capability
The Bollinger B1 features two electric motors, one on the front axle and another in the back. The all-wheel-drive, 614 combined horsepower, and 668 lb-ft of torque will rocket the truck from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. However, top speed is limited to 100 mph. The B1 will have a low and high range provided by a two-speed transfer case. The battery-powered truck was given some proper tools to make it a capable off-roader. Set to handle any obstruction around the farm, the B1 will come with a front and rear locking differential, 15 inches ground clearance, and allowing for 10 inches of wheel travel. The electric truck can tow up to 7,500 pounds and its payload capacity is 5,201 pounds. A cross-linked hydropneumatic suspension will change the spring and damping rates depending on load, allowing a smooth ride quality regardless.
Battery & Range
The 120kw battery pack is placed underneath the floor within a structural carbon-fiber box. Even with it’s big off-road tires and boxy figure, the Bollinger B1 is said to have an estimated range of 200 miles, about 175 miles less than a Telsa Model X. Estimated fuel economy is 70 MPGe.
Bollinger’s electric trucks can use 110-volt or 220-volt outlets. DC fast-charging is also available and can give it a full charge in about 75 minutes whereas the 220-volt charge will take up to 10 hours.
Design - Exterior & Interior
Bollinger designed his trucks with simplicity in mind. This is meant to be a “forever” truck, technology becomes dated quickly and isn’t known for being durable. The exterior is made of flat, removable panels, naturally making it look like a Jeep Wrangler or old Defender. There are four glass (or aluminum) roof panels that can be popped off, as well as the passenger bucket seats. The sheet metal exterior is bonded together using exposed rivets, not only making it look rugged but making it far easier for the manufacturer to produce. The beltline is higher than your average SUV to help increase headroom and storage space.
The interior is free from most modern luxuries and is only available with four bucket seats. Running between the seats is a convenient load floor that runs from tailgate to tailgate, open the frunk and trunk and one can transport an entire telephone pole. The rear seats can also fold us against the side window to make even more cargo room.
Unlike most electric cars, tech is not the focus here. Limited to gauges and toggle switches, there’s no large infotainment screen here. Bollinger's website does claim that their trucks will be Bluetooth compatible and have air conditioning, but more audio specs are still yet to come. It does come equipped with 8 110V outlets and 1 220V outlet to help power equipment around the ranch.
Pricing & Availability
Bollinger originally estimated that production would start at the end of 2020 and that we would see their Class 3 electric trucks on the road by the end of 2021. No updates have been announced in recent months, but their company blog shows that they are still making progress. Covid-19 may be to blame for slowing them down.
Bollinger is taking reservations for $1,000, helping seed money to continue production as they look for a third-party manufacturing partner. They estimated that they would produce 1,000 trucks their first year, primarily the SUV (B1) over the truck (B2).
As for price, Bollinger is charging $125,000 for the B1. A hefty price for the limited amenities and range. But these are hand-built, whether for better or worse, and the push needed for other companies to get on board with the idea of a heavy-duty electric truck.
Although the lack of tech may be a turnoff for most, it’s a breath of fresh air for those of us who spend a lot of time banging a truck around hayfields and dirt roads. Less tech is less to break which means less to worry about and more time to get work done.