Build-A-Bollinger With This New Bare Chassis
As EV maker Bollinger’s B1 SUV and B2 truck near their production dates, they stand to enter a crowded space. There’s the Fisker Ocean crossover, Nikola’s hydrogen-and-battery-powered Badger, and the GMC Hummer electric pickup. And, of course, there’s the Tesla Cybertruck and Rivian’s R1S and R1T. However, it appears that Bollinger is aware of the competition, and is branching out its business. And it’s doing so by taking a page from Rivian’s playbook.
The E-Chassis
Like Rivian, Autoblog reports, Bollinger’s come out with its own skateboard-style platform.
Bollinger’s E-Chassis shares many of its components with the company’s B1 and B2 EVs. This includes 2 motors, a 120-kWh battery pack, and the power and thermal control systems. ABS is included, as are power steering and traction and stability control. The E-Chassis also includes the EVs’ off-road tech: all-wheel drive, independent front and rear suspension with self-leveling hydro-pneumatic dampers, and the gear hubs for portal axles.
Bollinger’s platform is also customizable, Motor Trend reports. Clients can ditch the portal gear hubs, AWD system, and go for 1 motor instead of 2. The E-Chassis will also be available in various wheelbase lengths, and be able to accommodate a 180-kWh battery pack.
Bollinger hasn’t revealed the motors’ specs, but it’s likely each is putting out 307 hp, as in the B1 and B2. Official pricing has also not been revealed, but it will almost certainly be less than the production EVs’ $125,000.
How will this impact Bollinger’s other electric vehicles?
Although the E-Chassis underpins both the B1 and B2, its primary purpose is for commercial businesses.
Like the Tesla Cybertruck might be, Bollinger’s B1 and B2 are classified as Class 3 heavy-duty vehicles. Such vehicles, if they’re not electric or hydrogen-powered, have for years been able to pollute more due to legal loopholes. CEO and founder Robert Bollinger wanted to provide a customizable platform to “help propel the world to all-electric that much faster,” Autoblog reports.
Like the B1 and B2, the E-Chassis has a 5000-lb payload capacity. And any number of commercial vehicle bodies can be mounted to it. That includes mail trucks, commercial vans, and heavy-duty pickups. And, maybe, if you ask nicely, you could buy one to convert a classic truck or SUV into an EV.
The E-Chassis will also reportedly serve as the basis for future Bollinger models. Similar to how Rivian may use its skateboard to develop a rally EV.
Comparing it to Rivian and Tesla
At the moment, Tesla isn’t planning on selling the Cybertruck’s platform separately. However, the E-Chassis’ modularity means Tesla may find itself with some additional commercial-business competition. That’s because the Cybertruck’s weight may put it in the Class 2b or Class 3 category. And in terms of payload, Bollinger’s E-Chassis can handle 1500 lbs more than the Cybertruck.
Therefore, Rivian is likely going to be Bollinger’s main rival here. The EV maker is already working to develop a Lincoln electric SUV on its platform. And Amazon has invested heavily in Rivian to develop commercial vehicles. Rivian’s platform can also fit a 180-kWh battery pack, and offers similar suspension tech, too. But Rivian’s offers 4 motors, which combined put out up to 750 hp. However, Rivian does not quote a payload capacity for its skateboard platform.
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