Bollinger Goes Commercial with Electric Chassis

Ferndale, Mich.-based Bollinger Motors aims to supply its E-Chassis, which underpins the company’s upcoming B1 SUV and B2 pickup, to commercial vehicle producers for a variety of Class 3 truck applications.

                          Bollinger E-Chassis (Image: Bollinger)

The strategy is similar to that of other EV startups. Rivian, for example, will supply its electric truck platform to Ford for a future premium-level model. The Plymouth, Mich.-based company also inked a deal to provide electric vans to Amazon.

Hyundai plans to source so-called skateboard architectures from Los Angeles-based Canoo and the U.K.’s Arrival for electric cars and trucks, respectively.

Flexible Design

Bollinger filed for a U.S. patent for its chassis, which the company claims will be the first electric architecture for Class 3 vehicles, in November. Production is due to start next year.

The E-Chassis will come fully engineered and ready to be fitted with a body. Buyers can choose among several variants and options, including:

• Cab-on-chassis and “entirely new” designs
• Two- and all-wheel-drive models
• Extended wheelbases
• 120- or 180-kWh batteries
• With or without portal gear hubs

The platform features a low center of gravity and has a 5,000-lb payload, according to Bollinger. Other attributes include an independent front and rear suspension with self-leveling capabilities.

In the B1 (right) and B2 trucks, which will start at $125,000, the 120-kWh battery provides an estimated range of about 200 miles. The trucks’ dual motor powertrains generate 614 hp and 668 lb-ft of torque.