Last November MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS showcased the up-and-coming, all-electric Bollinger Motors B1 and B2. Bollinger Motors was designing the future-forward vehicle to serve both the consumer and commercial market. Since then, Bollinger Motors shifted to focus solely on commercial. Modern WorkTruck Solutions has the scoop from Bollinger Motors’ founder, Robert Bollinger.
MWS: HOW DID BOLLINGER MOTORS GET ITS START?
BOLLINGER: Bollinger Motors was originally founded in the Catskill Mountains of New York in 2015. After two years of development, our small team revealed the first working electric truck prototype in 2017. With a huge response to the all-original, ground-up truck design, our whole company promptly moved to Detroit, Michigan, to expand our engineering team and prepare a new design for production. Bollinger Motors is now based in Oak Park, Michigan, where our team is focusing on the development of all-electric commercial platforms and trucks.
MWS: AS A NEW PLAYER IN THE FIELD OF MEDIUM-DUTY ELECTRIC VEHICLES, WHAT SETS BOLLINGER MOTORS APART FROM OTHER MEDIUM-DUTY ELECTRIC VEHICLES?
BOLLINGER: Bollinger Motors is designing commercial EVs from the ground up. While other options are retrofitting internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles or importing electric products, Bollinger’s Class 3 to Class 6 units are purpose-built for commercial electric applications. This offers greater efficiency and lower total cost of ownership.
Also, our patent-pending modular battery pack system is a key differentiator in the market. Fleets will be able to use one to four battery packs to achieve their cost and range needs. By developing vehicles in Classes 3 through 6 simultaneously, we can deliver multiple options for fleets across the globe. And we gain efficiencies with common battery packs and high-voltage components that help reduce total cost of ownership. We are sourcing most of our parts and materials from the USA, and we also plan to assemble the final product right here in the Midwest.
MWS: OUR MAGAZINE SHOWCASED BOLLINGER MOTORS THIS PAST NOVEMBER WHEN BOLLINGER MOTORS TARGETED BOTH THE COMMERCIAL AND CONSUMER MARKET. THE COMPANY HAS SINCE MADE THE DECISION TO FOCUS ON THE COMMERCIAL MARKET. WHY?
BOLLINGER: We have received overwhelming response from our commercial platforms since we first starting engineering them two years ago. We are taking all of our Class 3 B1 and B2 truck knowledge and experience as we move into commercial development, making innovative trucks for Classes 3 through 6. The move will enable Bollinger Motors to continue to grow and develop technology that will have a major impact in the automotive world’s green future with laser focus on the commercial market.
MWS: HOW DOES THE DECISION TO FOCUS ONLY ON THE COMMERCIAL PRODUCT BENEFIT FLEETS?
BOLLINGER: Our decision means we will be able to focus our attention on the needs of the fleet buyers, creating a long-lasting commercial vehicle that meets or exceeds their specs. Using the same robust DNA from the Bollinger B1 and B2, our commercial Class 3 through 6 platforms will be durable, dependable, electric work beasts. Bollinger Motors has been 100% electric and Class 3 from the start. Our seven years of experience will produce a commercial fleet product that is second to none.
MWS: WE JUST GOT BACK FROM NTEA’S WORK TRUCK WEEK. WHAT WAS THE REPONSE?
BOLLINGER: People have been excited to see our all-electric platforms at trade shows, especially so soon after our announcement to focus solely on our commercial product. Our modular battery pack system has also really been a hit. Attendees have also been impressed to see how Bollinger offers a wide range of battery sizes and ranges based on one pack size—that’s something only we do.
The response at the show was overwhelmingly positive. Customer feedback confirmed we are on the right track offering an EV commercial solution that clearly stands out from the pack. Fleet customers and partners absolutely loved our platform.
MWS: WHAT ARE PROSPECTIVE BUYERS MOST EXCITED ABOUT IN THE NEW TRUCKS?
BOLLINGER: Fleet owners are really looking for a truck they can trust will work for them day after day. That is what we are focusing on delivering with our commercial platforms and trucks. We are stripping away what is not needed and making sure our EVs will last and have a lower total cost of ownership over diesel. And we’re doing this all while removing tailpipe emissions and helping the industry to go green.
MWS: WHAT IS NEXT FOR BOLLINGER MOTORS?
BOLLINGER: Our next big step in the process is to provide pilot vehicles to customers so they can truly see how well our electric platforms perform.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Robert Bollinger spent his childhood drawing cars and thinking of his own car company. After decades of working in advertising in New York City, Robert helped successfully grow and sell an organic cosmetic company, which gave him the funds to start his childhood dream. In 2015, Robert Bollinger founded Bollinger Motors in upstate New York, putting his industrial design degree from Carnegie Mellon to good use. He designed the first all-electric SUV, the Bollinger B1. Over the short history of the company, Bollinger Motors has created a cult following of EV enthusiasts with its off-road engineering prowess. Using its patents and battery technology, the Bollinger Motors team’s focus is now on creating all-electric commercial vehicles in Classes 3 through 6. Bollinger Motors is driven to create innovative vehicles to help reduce CO2 and move the industry to a green future. Find out more, visit www.bollingermotors.com.
