Is the 2021 Bollinger B2 Dangerous?
Tesla’s Cybertruck has attracted plenty of attention, but another electric pickup is expected to debut this year. That’s the Bollinger B2. The truck carries a hefty price tag, but its safety features are lacking. Does that make the Bollinger B2 dangerous? Here’s what we know about this upcoming EV.
The Bollinger B2 at a glance
The Bollinger B2 is a boxy all-electric pickup truck. It’s also available in a chassis cab. Company founder Robert Bollinger wanted a simple and utilitarian electric truck to use on his farm, and the B2 was born.
It also boasts plenty of power. Its dual electric motors — one in front and one in the rear — produce 614 hp and 688 lb-ft of torque, Car and Driver reports. This all-wheel-drive truck can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and tops out at 100 mpg, Bollinger states. It can also tow up to 7,500 pounds and haul up an impressive 5,000 pounds.
The B2’s 142-kWh battery pack can charge in 10 hours with a 220-volt outlet or in 75 minutes with DC fast-charging. Its estimated range on a single charge is 200 miles. The EPA hasn’t rated the truck’s efficiency, but Bollinger expects it to get 70 mpg-e.
For off-roading, the truck has a variable ground clearance between 10 and 20 inches and a two-speed transfer case with high and low ranges. It has a protected underbody, and the suspension arms are totally flat. Like the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator, the Bollinger B2 has body panels that can be folded or removed. They include the doors, roof panels, windows, and windshield. All-glass roof panels are also available.
Car and Driver says that “versatility triumphs over comfort” in this truck. You can put a 16-foot-long object through the interior’s hollow center. It’s also possible to fold open the rear cabin wall to add an extra two feet to the cargo bed.
The B2’s interior design takes simplicity to a new level. There’s no navigation system or radio, but the seats are comfortable and heated, and the materials include real wood and metal. It doesn’t have many features (standard or optional) beyond air conditioning and heated seats. The truck does also provides standard Bluetooth, six 110-volt outlets, and an audio system.
The Bollinger B2 is a Class 3 vehicle
The U.S. government classifies trucks based on their gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), Jalopnik reports. There are eight classes determined by “the maximum operating weight a truck can possibly carry while driving, including the truck itself.” That weight also includes passengers, fuel, and cargo. Full-size pickup trucks generally fall into Class 2.
The Bollinger B2 is a Class 3 work truck, which means its GVWR is between 10,001 and 14,000 pounds. The B2’s GVWR is 10,001 pounds. Its class makes it exempt from certain government safety regulations. For instance, it doesn’t have to have airbags or go through crash testing. That’s right — like the classic trucks it emulates, the B2 doesn’t have airbags. It’s also expected it won’t have many (or any) driver-assistance or advanced safety features.
Is the B2 dangerous?
The Bollinger B2 provides plenty of power and acceleration but few safety features. Will that combo prove dangerous? The lack of crash-test information also means there are unknowns about how the B2 would hold up in various crashes. Like the company founder, buyers who choose to use the B2 on their farms may not mind the lack of airbags. But those planning to drive their expensive electric trucks on the road might be uncomfortable knowing they’re not protected as best they could be.
Bollinger expects to begin delivering the B2 in 2021, but it might not make it this year, Inside EVs reports. The vehicle, along with the B1 SUV, is in its “production intent” form. Consumers can reserve one for $1,000. The B2 is expected to retail for about $125,000.