“World first” electric sport utility truck

Hailed as the “world’s first all-electric sport utility truck”, US firm Bollinger Motors revealed its Bollinger B1 at the Classic Car Club of Manhattan on Saturday.

It’s described as a “back to basics” vehicle with “exceptional off-road capability”.

“This is the culmination of what has been a 40-year-long boyhood dream of mine,” Bollinger Motors’ founder and chief executive officer Robert Bollinger says.

The first fully working prototype uses lightweight aluminum architecture and is coloured “Gunhouse Grey” with black accents.

The boxy SUT incorporates a rugged, heavy duty truck design and is 3.81 metres long, of 1.94m wide, 1.86m high and has nearly four metres ground clearance which will be adjustable.

The dual motor powertrain provides full-time all-wheel drive, and can deliver 360hp and 558Nm of torque, reaching 100kmh in just over 4.5 seconds. Two lithium ion battery pack options provide either 190 kilometres or 320km range.

Deliveries are expected to start within 19 months and reservation holders can order theirs early next year.

“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 centre of gravity providing for unsurpassed stability,” Bollinger Motors lead engineer Karl Hacken says.

“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 tyres with high off-set aluminum wheels for go anywhere traction and performance. Wheels are attached with eight lugs to knuckle-housed, geared axle hubs, which allow the entire suspension system to be raised on the chassis to clear road obstructions.