For EV enthusiasts who’ve long lamented there are no all-electric trucks for sale, Bollinger Motors today revealed what may be an off-roading EVer’s dream come true.
The completely bespoke B1 built in-house by the New York-based startup touts 60-kWh and 100-kWh battery options for up to 200 miles range, 360 horsepower, and rock-crawling dual-motor AWD capability thanks to a sophisticated long-travel suspension.
Meant for on and off-road, the “Gunhouse grey” vehicle looks like a cross between a generation 1 Ford Bronco, Hummer, Jeep, with a twist of Soviet-era military truck thrown in.
The pure battery electric truck was revealed far from its intended terrain during a media event at the Classic Car Club of Manhattan, where folks otherwise may be who will have the funds for whatever this beauty will sell for.
Pricing is undisclosed at the moment, but its spec sheet looks like the off-road equivalent to a semi-exotic sports car with few compromises preventing it from fulfilling its mission.
Bollinger is calling it an SUT, a Sport Utility Truck, and it engineered in perfect 50/50 weight distribution on a classic three-box design for the all-aluminum chassis with a high-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steel rollover structure.
“We are so thrilled to be able to finally take the wraps off of our Bollinger B1 SUT,” said Bollinger Motors’ founder and CEO, Robert Bollinger. “This is the culmination of what has been a 40-year-long boyhood dream of mine and I couldn’t be more pleased with the vehicle and the incredible team who worked so hard to create it.”
By itself the chassis weighs only 295 pounds, and it promises high structural and torsional rigidity with proportions that are optimal for serious off-roading.
To help with that, the 150-inch long truck rolling on a wheelbase of 105 inches has 15.5 inches of ground clearance under an adjustable, self-leveling, 4-wheel independent, hydro-pneumatic suspension with 10 inches of wheel travel.
If contemplating really tough maneuvers where greater suspension articulation is needed, the anti-roll bars disconnect to allow this.
Ultra Light/Tesla Quick
A curb weight of just 3,900 pounds is a good 1,000 pound lighter than a Model S, and impressive for a battery electric vehicle with up to 100-kWh battery.
Sprints from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds about match the first 2012 Model S P85 Performance, though it’s not as quick as the latest faster Teslas.
Overall length is 150 inches, width is 76.5 inches, and height is 73.5 inches. Wheelbase is 105 inches, front and rear track is 68 inches, approach angle is 56 degrees, departure angle is 53 degrees, and break over angle is 33 degrees.
Output is 360 horsepower, and 472 pounds-feet of instant torque. Top speed is said to be 127 mph.
The truck also has payload capacity of 6,100 pounds, and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) just over 10,001 pounds.
Of the two battery options, the 60 kWh version is said to deliver 120 miles range, and the 100 kWh version delivers 200 miles.
“Because the entire drivetrain and battery storage system is located between the chassis rails, the B1 has abundant and unique storage areas and a very low center of gravity providing for unsurpassed stability,” said Karl Hacken, Bollinger Motors’ lead engineer. “The hydraulically-assisted steering rack was designed in-house allowing us the ability to fine tune the driving dynamics to our exact specifications.”
Although the truck is lighter than a Tesla, it is an aerodynamic brick rolling on big-honkin’ Mud Terrain LT285/70/R17 tires with high offset aluminum wheels. Also, Bollinger estimates efficiency at a relatively low by automotive standards 67.4 MPGe.
Further, not stated is electric range when this thing is slinging mud, and climbing and charging hard off in the backcountry. For its part, the maker says the vehicle should satisfy.
The battery compartments are encased in four protective layers between metal casings and water tight seals. The company says these are engineered to withstand submersion under 3.3 feet of water for 30 minutes – industry standard for EVs.
“At either a 120 or 200 mile estimated range, the Bollinger B1 will have more range than most electric vehicles on the road today,” said John Hutchison, Bollinger Motors engineer. “The average US driver travels less than 36 miles per day, so the B1 has plenty of charge for anything you throw at it. I think we found the right combination of utility, off-road capability and range options.”
Charging is by level one or level two through a standard J1772 connector, or three via a CHAdeMO charge port on the vehicle’s fender.
Minimalist Interior
The aluminum-laded interior has only vital components to operate the truck on and off road, and this is by design.
“The interior follows the strong and straight-line design of the exterior using simplicity and straight-forwardness as the main design language,” said Ross Compton, who assisted Bollinger with the design of the B1. “We also wanted to give the vehicle a feel of openness and spaciousness so you can use the vehicle in a variety of different ways.”
On the lower left side of the dash are controls for lights, windshield wipers, air suspension and the built-in winch. On the lower right are controls for front differential lock, rear differential lock, fan speed and climate control.
“An industry first” 3-section roller system is utilized by the HVAC system, and controls are rubber sealed so owners can put down their cigars for a moment and hose out the truck after a day of thrashing it in dirty terrain.
Note 13 inch by 14 inch passthrough door. The compartment allows for easy access into the frunk and can accommodate up to 24 2X4 boards.
The in-dash waterproof receiver has Bluetooth capability with AM/FM Radio, AUX Input for iPod/MP3 Players and SD/USB Flash Readers. Also included are 110-volt outlets.
“Since the B1 is an all-electric truck, it’s really a portable energy source,” said CEO Robert Bollinger. “So we put 100 volt plugs throughout the truck so you can use it to power any equipment and tools you might need out in the field. USB and 12 volt plugs are also integrated into the dash to cover all power needs.”
Business Case
Bollinger says it’s done its homework, and this is a vehicle that is to see production.
It’s talking with U.S. based third-party vehicle manufacturers, and is also communicating with the state of New York regarding potential future build facilities.
“While we’ll be announcing pricing and manufacturing targets later this year, the business case for the B1 makes sense at a very realistic and modest production number and at a price point of a nicely equipped sport utility vehicle,” said Bollinger. “When you factor in this vehicle’s superiority over the other choices on today’s market, we think we have a winning combination.”
Bollinger says once production starts, the first units will be delivered to customers within 19 months.
Those interested can presently hold a place in line with no money down, and starting early next year reservation holders will be able to preorder the B1 with a $1,000 down.
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