Sep 9, 2022 - 01:45 pm
Mullen takes over majority of Bollinger Motors
A surprising acquisition has taken place in the field of electric vehicle startups in the U.S.: Mullen Automotive announced the acquisition of a 60 per cent majority stake in Bollinger Motors for $148.2 million in cash and stock. Mullen is apparently looking to revive the B1 electric terrain vehicle and its B2 pickup variant.
The acquisition is Mullen’s first in the electric vehicle space, according to the company. It gives the company access to the medium-duty truck classes 3-6, as well as the B1 and B2 sport utility trucks.
Mullen CEO and Chairman David Michery says there has been strong interest from major customers such as utilities and municipal services. He says this is a clear indication of the market’s “desire for Bollinger’s vehicles.” “This acquisition is one of the largest in the EV industry to date and provides Mullen with the unique opportunity to aggressively expand into the high-demand commercial EV space,” he says. “Combining Bollinger’s vehicles with our existing class 1 and class 2 EV cargo van programs gives us the chance to dominate the entire class 1-6 commercial light and medium duty truck segments.”
Bollinger Motors had put the development of both the B1 and B2 electric vans on hold to shift its focus to electric utility vehicles. The models were introduced in 2017, and the company later developed a second generation. With the acquisition now in place, Mullen is taking over nearly 50,000 reservations for the B1 and B2, the release added. The models’ programs are slated to begin oh the start of production for the Class 3-6 commercial vehicle programs. As part of the deal, Bollinger will gain access to Mullen’s solid-state battery technology.
In September, Bollinger debuted the B4, a Class 4 electric commercial vehicle, and the B4 electric chassis are expected to be the first from the company’s commercial product line to be used in upcoming customer test programs. The new Bollinger B4 incorporates years of feedback from dozens of large fleets looking to electrify their vehicles, according to the company. The trucks are scheduled to be tested with customers this fall.
A few months ago, Mullen announced it was retooling its plant in Monrovia, California, to begin producing battery packs for its electric vehicles. The company said it was doing so to reduce its reliance on third-party suppliers and the risk of material and supply shortages. Producing battery packs in-house is also expected to reduce costs and improve overall quality control in battery pack development.
Mullen Automotive had caused a stir with a series of announcements in recent years, but had most recently been accused by short-seller Hindenburg Research of misleading its investors. This concerned both the batteries and the van, which, contrary to what was stated, is not an in-house development, but an import from China with Mullen’s logo. Accordingly, Mullen is still a long way from volume production.
Sep 4, 2022 - recent news
Bollinger presents first medium-duty electric truck B4
The EV startup Bollinger Motors has presented the B4 electric truck that is in line with US vehicle Class 4 with a gross weight of around 6.4 to 7.2 tons. The debut of the medium-duty vehicles follows Bollinger’s last strategy change announced in January.
Bollinger Motors then announced to focus on commercial electric vehicles after failing to launch the consumer-facing pick-up trucks it had initially envisioned. CEO Robert Bollinger had postponed the B1 and B2 indefinitely on social media, announcing a new focus on commercial vehicles instead. This would allow further development and have a significant “influence on the green future of the automobile,” he said at the time. In other words, Bollinger saw the larger market in commercial electric vehicles, despite their passion for off-road models.
The now announced Bollinger B4 features a rear axle electric drive and utilises an 800-volt platform with LFP batteries. Customers can opt for one or two battery packs, each module claiming around a 100-mile range (160 km), bringing the maximum range to 200 miles.
Unlike the previous pick-ups, Bollinger opted for a cab-forward truck and says it designed the vehicle from the ground up. It was “a radical change from our previous concepts,” said Robert Bollinger. “And that’s on purpose. We listened to our commercial customers and developed what they need for ultimate efficiency.”
“The cab-forward design also increases both overall cargo space behind the cab and critical downward visibility in front,” added Kent Harrison, the company’s Chief Product Officer.
Bollinger will test the B4 in real-life with unnamed fleet customers, equipment suppliers and charging companies this autumn.
The Bollinger B4 truck will mark the beginning with US Class 5 and 6 electric trucks (all medium-duty) to follow as announced. Bollinger has reportedly selected Roush Industries as a contract manufacturer. They will produce the new range in Livonia, Michigan, 20 miles from Bollinger’s Oak Park headquarters.
Details on the B4’s market launch and pricing are to follow later. However, Bollinger builds on the US Inflation Reduction Act recently signed into law by President Joe Biden and expects the B4 to be eligible for the 30% tax credit up to $40,000 under the newly created 45W Commercial EV Tax Credit.
Roush to manufacture for Bollinger Motors
(older news from May 2022)
US electric vehicle start-up Bollinger Motors announced Roush Industries as the contract manufacturer to assemble its line of all-electric platforms and chassis cabs for commercial vehicles in Classes 3 through 6.
Bollinger will source and provide all materials for Roush to assemble its all-electric vehicle platforms and chassis cabs in a fully staffed, operational, and scalable facility in Livonia, Michigan. The location was selected due to its geographic location within 20 miles of Bollinger’s Oak Park headquarters.
It was only in January of this year, that Bollinger announced plans to focus on electric commercial vehicles, cancelling all previous orders for their earlier electric vehicle models B1 and B2. The platform underlying the two models was later also opened for third parties to manufacture, however, this plan seems to have been dropped with the realignment taking place this year.
“We will be building state-of-the-art vehicles from day one right here in Michigan,” said Robert Bollinger, founder and CEO of Bollinger Motors. “Roush has significant engineering and assembly history, and we’re excited to work with them to provide our commercial fleet customers with exceptional electric vehicles.”
“Our proven processes are engineered to bring products to market quickly and efficiently, while meeting OEM-level quality standards,” said Brad Rzetelny, vice president of Roush Flexible Assembly. “With fully scalable manufacturing, we can grow with Bollinger Motors to meet the growing need from its fleet customers as they convert to electric vehicles.”
prnewswire.com
