US-based Bollinger Motors reveals all-electric B1 Sport Utility Truck (SUT)

The Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV’s) and Sports Utility Trucks (SUT’s) are traditionally looked at one of the biggest polluters in the passenger vehicle segment, with global focus shifting towards greener and cleaner mobility. The market for the fuel-guzzlers seem to be in a transition phase.

US-based Bollinger Motors has revealed its first electric on-and-off-road sport utility truck (SUT), called ‘B1’.  The Bollinger B1 fully working prototype is an all-electric sport utility truck, painted in a special "Gunhouse" Grey, the vehicle incorporates a rugged, heavy-duty truck design with a classic, 3-box look.

B1 comes with an overall length of 150 (inch), a width of 76.5 (inch) and a height 73.5 (inch) and sports a 50/50 weight balance front to back and side to side. Powered by dual-motor powertrain which provides full-time all-wheel drive, torque and ground clearance. 

CHASSIS

The B1 employs an advanced chassis structure to underpin the vehicle and house its battery system and provide support for its off-roading components.

The all-aluminum chassis with a high-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steel rollover structure is designed for optimal off road vehicle proportions. With a wheelbase of 105 inches, front and rear track of 68 inches, an approach angle of 56 degrees, departure angle of 53 degrees, and break over angle of 33 degrees. The chassis by itself weighs just 295 pounds while not sacrificing structural or torsional rigidity. The base ride height provides for 15.5 inches of ground clearance but will be adjustable using a self-leveling, 4-wheel independent, hydro-pneumatic suspension within the 10 inches of wheel travel. Disconnectable anti-roll bars allow traction enhancing, full suspension articulation during off-road maneuvers. 

"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."

The chassis rides on Mud Terrain LT285/70/R17 tires with high offset aluminum wheels for go anywhere traction and performance. The wheels are attached with eight lugs to knuckle-housed, geared axle hubs, which allow the entire suspension system to be raised on the chassis giving it the ability to clear a multitude of off-road obstructions. The regenerative braking system consists of 11.75 inch vented inboard discs and four-piston calipers.

PERFORMANCE

While the Bollinger B1 sports serious off-roading credentials, the vehicle generates 360 horsepower with 472 lb-ft of torque. Along with the instant torque provided courtesy of the electric drivetrain, the B1 can accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 127 miles (204 km) per hour. The B1 weighs 3,900 lbs (1,769 kg) giving it a 10.8 power to weight ratio. With a payload capacity of 6,100 lbs (2,766 kg), the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) checks in at just over 10,001 lbs (4,536 kg).

The B1 employs a dual-motor powertrain configuration using front- and rear- mounted synchronous electric motors driving all four wheels, delivering up to 270 kW (360 hp) power. The production B1 will offer two lithium ion battery pack options: 60 kWh or 100 kWh, producing either 120 miles or 200 miles in range.

"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 B1 will be equipped with a J1772 universal connector for conventional 110V and 220V charging while Level 3 "DC Fast" charging is completed through a CHAdeMO protocol charge port on the vehicle's fender. The battery pack compartments are encased in four layers of protection between metal casings and water tight seals which are engineered to withstand submersion under 3.3ft of water for 30 minutes, which is the industry standard for EVs.

INTERIOR

As this vehicle is designed with a rugged outdoorsman in mind, the Bollinger SUT will seat up to four occupants wrapped in a steel passenger safety cage. For ease of cleanup the interior can be fully hosed down as all of the instruments have rubber seals and gaskets and polyurethane-coated floor pans.

The interior is minimalist by design providing only the necessary controls to operate the vehicle both on and off road. The instrument panel (IP) has four prominent circular gauges including a digital readout for ready status, range updates, charging status and all FMVSS warning signals. A mechanical speedometer is employed with an odometer inset; a battery level indicator; turn signals; and there's also a unique mechanical tachometer which displays the average of the two motor's revolutions per minute. All of the gauges have chrome bezels, black backgrounds and white numbering and lettering giving the IP a clean and classic look.

The steering column is a traditional 3-spoke, leather-wrapped wheel with stalks on the left side of the column for the turning indicator and tilt wheel. On the right side of the column the driver has a "three on the tree" style PRNDL that will control the vehicle's gear shift positions.

On the lower left side of the dash there are controls for lights, windshield wipers, air suspension and the built-in winch. On the lower right side, there are controls for front differential lock, rear differential lock, fan speed and climate control.

It will also include a HVAC system that employs first 3-section roller system, sitting atop the dashboard and runs the length of the interior from the driver to passenger side of the vehicle. Occupants will be able to choose to open and close the vents and they will also have the ability to turn the roller toward or away from them for varying degrees of air flow. This will allow for a quick and direct manual defrosting or defogging of the front windscreen when necessary.

The center section of the dash has a 13 inch by 14 inch passthrough door, with the compartment allowing for easy access into the trunk that can accommodate up to 24 2X4 boards for either professional contractors or the do-it-yourselfer working on a weekend project. With unobstructed space between the closed front and rear liftgates, 12 foot boards can be fully stored within the enclosed truck. When the rear liftgate is down, boards up to 16 feet can easily be transported.

Above the passthrough sits a gauge-style, marine radio stereo receiver. The in-dash waterproof receiver has Bluetooth capability with AM/FM Radio, AUX Input for iPod/MP3 Players and SD/USB Flash Readers. Sound from the unit is directed to four speakers inside the cabin. To the right side of the passthrough are twin 110 volt power outlets which allow occupants the ability to hook up their electronic devices, camping equipment, power tools.

"Since the B1 is an all-electric truck, it's really a portable energy source," says Bollinger Motors' founder and 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."

"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.

MANUFACTURING AND RETAIL

Bollinger Motors has a design, engineering and development center in Hobart, New York and the company is in talks with third-party independent vehicle manufacturers in the US that are conducting feasibility studies and financial estimates.

"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.

Once manufacturing is finalised, B1 deliveries are targeted to start within 19 months. Initially a direct-to-consumer sales model will be employed for the B1 and , in the future, Bollinger will also look to open company and retail stores in major cities across the US. Currently the B1 will be available through bollingermotors.com and interested customers can reserve a spot by signing up online with no down-payment. In early 2018 reservation holders will be able to order their B1 with a $1,000 (Rs 63,170) down payment.