Bollinger Motors, a U.S. electric truck startup known for its rugged commercial vehicle designs, has been placed in receivership by a federal judge after the company failed to meet its financial obligations. The decision follows months of mounting debt, unpaid wages, and stalled operations, marking a sharp fall for a firm once seen as a rising player in the electric commercial vehicle segment.
Based in Oak Park, Michigan, Bollinger Motors had developed several all-electric models, including the B1 SUV, B2 pickup, and B4 electric truck, the latter with a gross vehicle weight rating of 7.2 tonnes. In 2022, the company pivoted to focus solely on the B4 commercial truck. However, production was suspended in January 2025 after Bollinger was barred from accessing its assembly site at Roush Enterprises due to unpaid invoices amounting to $1.8 million.
Financial instability has plagued the company in recent months, with reports of unpaid employee salaries, rent, and vendor bills. Robert Bollinger, the companyās founder, has accused majority shareholder Mullen Automotive of mismanaging the firm following a failed $10 million loan repayment. In court filings, Bollinger alleged a lack of strategic leadership and broken commitments under Mullenās oversight.
Despite approximately $5 million worth of unsold vehicles remaining in inventory, the company has struggled with weak sales and inadequate marketing. Resuming production, insiders say, hinges on settling outstanding debts and attracting fresh investmentāneither of which appears imminent.
āThe receivership process is intended to stabilize operations, satisfy creditors, and explore the possibility of new investors,ā a company representative said, adding that Bollinger Motors remains committed to its vehicles.
Bollingerās plight comes amid a broader trend of electric truck startups facing financial collapse. Fellow U.S. EV truck maker Nikola recently filed for bankruptcy, with its factory acquired by electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid. In Europe, Volta Trucks, Tevva, and Quantron have also encountered insolvency, though Quantron is attempting a restart under the leadership of its founder, Andreas Heller.
The setbacks underscore the immense challenges smaller EV manufacturers faceābalancing high development costs and stiff competition from legacy automakers in a volatile economic environment, even as demand for zero-emission transport grows.
Source: Detroit News