Bollinger Motors
American electric-vehicle manufacturer known for rugged off-road prototypes and medium-duty commercial truck platforms.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Bollinger Motors was an American electric-vehicle manufacturer founded by entrepreneur Robert Bollinger in Hobart, New York, in 2014. The company initially pursued a full-size electric off-road vehicle, seeking to combine battery propulsion with the mechanical simplicity, durability, and utility associated with traditional work trucks and expedition vehicles. Its early identity was built around the B1 sport utility truck and the related B2 pickup, both characterized by angular aluminum bodies, removable roof sections, extensive ground clearance, and an unusually utilitarian design language reminiscent of classic off-road vehicles. Bollinger attracted attention in 2017 when it demonstrated a lightweight aluminum chassis and unveiled the first B1 prototype. The vehicle was presented as a rugged, all-electric truck rather than a conventional luxury SUV. The company initially classified the B1 as a medium-duty Class 3 vehicle, a positioning choice intended to reduce some of the regulatory requirements associated with passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks. Interest grew quickly: by August 2017, Bollinger reported thousands of nonbinding expressions of interest, although these did not represent paid orders. The company moved its headquarters from New York State to Michigan in 2018, first locating in Ferndale and later relocating to Oak Park in 2020. In 2019 it showed production-oriented versions of the B1 and B2. The B1 evolved from a three-door prototype into a longer four-door vehicle, while the B2 provided a pickup configuration on the same basic electric architecture. Both vehicles were based on Bollinger's E-Chassis, which used independent double-wishbone suspension and was designed to support different vehicle bodies and commercial applications. Bollinger also explored a chassis-cab version and intended to make the underlying platform available to upfitters. The company's strategy broadened during 2020 and 2021. It introduced the Deliver-E concept, a front-wheel-drive electric delivery van intended to cover several commercial weight classes, and renamed its chassis-cab and platform concepts as the B3 Chass-E Cab and Chass-E. However, in January 2022 Bollinger suspended development of its consumer-focused B1 and B2 vehicles and shifted its resources toward commercial vehicles. The company announced that deposits for the two consumer models would be refunded. Its replacement strategy centered on a medium-duty Commercial Platform for Class 3 through Class 6 trucks, intended to support vehicles such as tow trucks, refuse vehicles, buses, and other specialized bodies. Roush Industries was announced as a manufacturing partner for the Commercial Platform and Deliver-E in 2022. Later that year, Bollinger presented the B4, a cab-forward Class 4 truck based on the commercial platform. The B4 became the company's principal production-oriented product as the original consumer vehicles were postponed indefinitely. The same platform strategy was intended to support heavier B5 and B6 configurations, although the available reference material does not establish series production of those models. In September 2022, Mullen Automotive acquired a 60 percent controlling interest in Bollinger Motors for a reported $148.2 million. The transaction generated speculation that the B1 and B2 might eventually return, but the company's publicly described direction remained centered on commercial vehicles. In 2025, Bollinger entered receivership following a financial dispute involving founder Robert Bollinger and Mullen Automotive. The company subsequently exited receivership with Mullen and its chief executive, David Michery, assuming full control. The available reference material states that the B4 had reached production, with approximately 100 units built and some sales, but it also describes continuing unpaid obligations, employee layoffs, a closure in late November 2025, and a subsequent return to receivership. Bollinger Motors is therefore tre…
History
Bollinger Motors was established in Hobart, New York, in 2014 by Robert Bollinger. Its original objective was to create a full-size electric off-road vehicle that would prioritize durability, simplicity, and utility over conventional crossover styling. The project became public in 2017, when the company displayed a lightweight aluminum chassis with a 105-inch wheelbase. In June of that year it revealed the first B1 prototype, a three-door electric sport utility truck with a sharply folded body, matte finish, removable roof components, and a deliberately austere appearance. Automotive coverage frequently compared its visual character with classic Ford Bronco and Land Rover Defender utility vehicles. Bollinger's early product strategy also reflected regulatory and engineering considerations. The 2017 B1 prototype was presented as a Class 3 medium-duty truck with a gross vehicle weight rating between 10,001 and 14,000 pounds. Bollinger stated that this classification could reduce some of the regulatory burden associated with developing a passenger vehicle or light-duty truck. By August 2017, the company said it had collected roughly 6,000 expressions of interest, although these were not binding commitments and did not require refundable deposits. In March 2018, Bollinger moved its headquarters from Hobart to Ferndale, Michigan. Two years after the first prototype, the company showed production-oriented versions of its vehicles. The B1 received a longer body and additional rear doors, while the B2 was introduced as a large four-door pickup. Both vehicles were designed around the E-Chassis, an electric skateboard-style structure with independent double-wishbone suspension at all four wheels. Bollinger intended the architecture to support different bodies and commercial applications, rather than limiting it to the B1 and B2. During 2020 the company announced ambitions to begin serial production and sales of the B1 and B2 in 2021. It also displayed a B2 chassis-cab concept in two- and four-door configurations with different wheelbases. In August 2020 the headquarters moved again, this time from Ferndale to Oak Park. By the fall, Bollinger reported approximately 1,000 B1 and B2 preorders supported by refundable deposits of $1,000. The company also introduced the Deliver-E, a planned electric panel van for package-delivery operators. Unlike the B1 and B2, the Deliver-E was designed around a dedicated front-wheel-drive van platform and was intended to cover weight classes from 2B through 5. In March 2021 Bollinger renamed the E-Chassis-related commercial concepts. The two-door chassis-cab vehicle became the B3 Chass-E Cab, while the underlying platform became the Chass-E. The company published configurations involving rear-wheel drive, dual rear wheels, and all-wheel or all-drive capability. Despite these efforts, the consumer program did not proceed to the anticipated production launch. In January 2022 Bollinger announced a fundamental strategic change: development of the B1 and B2 would be postponed while the company focused on commercial vehicles, and deposits for the consumer models would be refunded. The revised strategy centered on the Bollinger Commercial Platform, a medium-duty Class 3 through Class 6 electric truck architecture. The platform used a rear-drive skateboard layout, a leaf-sprung rear live axle, and front double-wishbone suspension. Bollinger intended to sell the platform to upfitters, which could adapt it for tow trucks, refuse vehicles, buses, and other specialized commercial applications. Roush Industries was announced as a manufacturing partner for the Commercial Platform and Deliver-E in May 2022. In September, Bollinger revealed renderings of the B4, a cab-forward Class 4 truck based on the commercial architecture. B5 and B6 derivatives were also identified as planned members of the broader medium-duty range. Mullen Automotive acquired a 60 percent controlling interest in Bollinger in September 2022 for a reported $148.2 million. The transaction created speculation that the B1 and B2 might be revived, but the commercial platform and B4 remained the more immediate focus. The B4 reportedly reached limited production, with around 100 units built and some sales described in the supplied reference material. The available record does not establish sustained high-volume manufacturing or broad commercial distribution. In May 2025, Bollinger entered receivership after a financial dispute involving Robert Bollinger and Mullen Automotive. It later exited receivership with Mullen and its chief executive, David Michery, assuming full control. The supplied account states that Mullen promised to pay outstanding debts and invest in an expanded product line, but that payments and investments were not made as promised. Bollinger subsequently laid off employees, closed at the end of November 2025, and reentered receivership soon afterward. Because these late-stage events concern evolving insolvency and ownership proceedings, their final legal status should be checked against court and corporate filings.
- 2025
Receivership and subsequent closure
[1]Bollinger entered receivership, later returned to Mullen control, and according to the supplied reference account closed after layoffs and subsequently reentered receivership.
- 2022
Commercial-vehicle strategy adopted
[1]Bollinger postponed the B1 and B2 consumer program, refunded deposits, and prioritized its Class 3-6 Commercial Platform.
- 2022
Mullen Automotive acquires controlling interest
[1]Mullen Automotive acquired a 60 percent controlling interest in Bollinger Motors.
- 2021
E-Chassis concepts renamed
[1]The chassis-cab concept became the B3 Chass-E Cab and the underlying electric platform became Chass-E.
- 2020
Headquarters moves to Oak Park
[1]Bollinger moved its headquarters from Ferndale to Oak Park, Michigan.
- 2020
Deliver-E van concept introduced
[1]The company proposed a dedicated electric delivery van platform spanning multiple commercial weight classes.
- 2019
B1 and B2 production-oriented prototypes presented
[1]Bollinger showed a revised B1 and added the four-door B2 pickup to its proposed product range.
- 2018
Headquarters moves to Ferndale
[1]The company relocated from Hobart, New York, to Ferndale, Michigan.
- 2017
B1 prototype revealed
[1]Bollinger showed its first B1 prototype after presenting a lightweight aluminum chassis earlier in the year.
- 2014
Company founded in Hobart, New York
[1]Robert Bollinger founded the company to develop a full-size electric off-road vehicle.
Products and positioning
Rugged, functional electric vehicles and adaptable commercial platforms for off-road, fleet, and medium-duty applications.
Electric sport utility truck · 2017
B1
The B1 was Bollinger's original flagship electric off-road vehicle. Its design emphasized rugged utility through a boxy aluminum body, high ground clearance, removable roof sections, and a practical cabin layout. The initial prototype was a three-door vehicle, while later production-oriented versions became longer and added rear doors. It was developed on the E-Chassis and initially positioned as a Class 3 truck. Planned consumer production was postponed indefinitely in 2022, and the available references do not establish a later commercial launch.
Electric pickup truck · 2019
B2
The B2 was a four-door electric pickup derived from the same basic architecture as the B1. It was intended to combine off-road capability with a large, configurable cargo bed and the structural flexibility of Bollinger's E-Chassis. The company later explored chassis-cab applications related to the B2 platform. Like the B1, the B2 was part of the consumer program that Bollinger postponed in January 2022, with customer deposits slated for refund.
Electric commercial chassis cab · 2021
B3 Chass-E Cab
The B3 Chass-E Cab was the renamed version of Bollinger's B2 cutaway or chassis-cab concept. It was presented with a two-door cab and was intended to support commercial bodies and different wheelbase configurations. The concept formed part of the company's broader effort to make its electric architecture useful to commercial upfitters rather than only to retail vehicle buyers. The available references identify the program as cancelled or superseded by the later Commercial Platform.
Electric vehicle platform · 2021
Chass-E
Chass-E was the renamed version of Bollinger's E-Chassis platform. It used a largely symmetrical electric architecture and was described with independent double-wishbone suspension at all four wheels. The platform was intended to be supplied to commercial upfitters for applications requiring different bodies and wheelbases. Bollinger later shifted to a separate Commercial Platform for its medium-duty strategy, leaving Chass-E without a documented production program.
Medium-duty electric truck platform · 2022
Commercial Platform
The Commercial Platform was Bollinger's principal post-2022 product strategy. It was designed for Class 3 through Class 6 medium-duty electric trucks and used a rear-drive skateboard arrangement, a leaf-sprung rear live axle, and front double-wishbone suspension. Bollinger intended to sell the platform to specialist upfitters, allowing it to serve as the basis for tow trucks, refuse vehicles, buses, and other vocational vehicles. Roush Industries was announced as a manufacturing partner.
Class 4 electric commercial truck · 2022
B4
The B4 was a cab-forward Class 4 medium-duty electric truck based on Bollinger's Commercial Platform. It was aimed at commercial and vocational users rather than private consumers, with the platform intended to accommodate multiple body types and fleet configurations. Renderings were shown in 2022, and the supplied reference account states that the B4 entered limited production, with approximately 100 units built and some sales. The scale and continuity of production remain unclear.
Class 5 electric commercial truck
B5
The B5 was identified as a planned Class 5 member of Bollinger's medium-duty electric commercial truck family. It was intended to extend the Commercial Platform beyond the B4 and serve heavier vocational or fleet applications. The available reference material does not provide confirmed production specifications, launch timing, or evidence of series manufacture.
Class 6 electric commercial truck
B6
The B6 was identified as a planned Class 6 electric commercial truck using the general Commercial Platform strategy. It was intended for applications above the B4 and B5 weight classes, but the available sources do not establish final specifications, production timing, or customer deliveries.
Electric delivery van · 2020
Deliver-E
Deliver-E was a planned electric panel van for package-delivery and other fleet operators. Bollinger described it as covering multiple commercial weight classes, from Class 2B through Class 5, with several wheelbase and battery options. Unlike the B1 and B2, it was designed around a van-specific front-wheel-drive platform. Roush Industries was announced as a manufacturing partner, but the available material does not confirm sustained series production.
Controversies
2025
Receivership and ownership dispute
Bollinger entered receivership amid a financial dispute involving founder Robert Bollinger and Mullen Automotive. The company later exited receivership under Mullen control, but the supplied account describes subsequent unpaid obligations, layoffs, closure, and a return to receivership.
Brand decisions
2022
Shift from consumer vehicles to commercial platformsStrategyBackground
Bollinger had proposed consumer-oriented B1 and B2 vehicles but had not begun the planned production program.
Action taken
The company postponed B1 and B2 development, announced refunds of customer deposits, and redirected resources toward the Class 3-6 Commercial Platform.
Aftermath
The B4 became the most visible production-oriented vehicle, while the original B1 and B2 program remained indefinitely postponed.
2022
Mullen Automotive takes controlM&ABackground
Bollinger sought additional capital and a broader commercial-vehicle pathway.
Action taken
Mullen Automotive acquired a 60 percent controlling interest in Bollinger Motors for a reported $148.2 million.
Aftermath
Mullen became the controlling owner and later assumed full control following Bollinger's 2025 receivership transition.
Reported acquisition consideration. $148.2 million (September 2022 transaction)
2017
Position the B1 as a Class 3 truckStrategyBackground
Bollinger designed the initial B1 prototype with a gross vehicle weight rating in the Class 3 medium-duty range.
Action taken
The company used a medium-duty truck classification rather than positioning the vehicle solely as a passenger SUV or light-duty pickup.
Aftermath
The classification was intended to reduce regulatory burdens, while the B1 continued to attract attention as a distinctive electric off-road vehicle.
Recent events
Bollinger unveils E-Chassis electric platform[3]
Reported:
Bollinger Motors unveiled its patent-pending E-Chassis, a heavy-duty electric platform designed with commercial applications in mind and intended to underpin the B1 SUV and B2 pickup.
Bollinger Motors announces $125,000 MSRP for B1 and B2 trucks[4]
Reported:
Bollinger Motors announced a suggested retail price of $125,000 for its B1 Sport Utility Truck and B2 Pickup Truck. The source reports the price announcement but does not establish a prior price for comparison.
Bollinger Motors unveils B1 SUV and B2 pickup truck[5]
Reported:
Bollinger Motors unveiled its all-electric B1 SUV and B2 pickup truck in an online event.
Sources8 sources
- 1Bollinger Motorsen.wikipedia.org
- 2Bollinger Motors official websitebollingermotors.com
- 3Bollinger 发布 E-Chassis 电动平台carscoops.com
- 4Bollinger Motors 宣布 B1 与 B2 卡车建议零售价为 125,000 美元prnewswire.com
- 5Bollinger Motors发布B1 SUV和B2皮卡ibtimes.com
- 6博林格汽车发布重型架构电动底盘平台 打造2款新车auto.sina.com.cn
- 7又一家进军电动厢式货车的公司：Bollinger发布DELIVER-E概念车tech.sina.com.cn
- 8The ultimate electric work truck? Bollinger unveils first electric Class 3 platformreneweconomy.com.au
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