Lights Out for Bollinger Motors: Another EV Startup Bites the Dust!

TL;DR: Bollinger Motors, once a promising EV truck startup, is officially dead in the water, missing payroll and leaving a trail of lawsuits and unfulfilled job promises. It's a stark reminder that in the wild world of EVs, not every dream truck makes it to the assembly line.

Meta: Bollinger Motors, maker of the B4 electric truck, has ceased operations amidst financial troubles and lawsuits.

Alright, folks, it’s a tough business out here, and sometimes even the brightest ideas crash and burn faster than a comedian on open mic night. This week, we got the sad news that Bollinger Motors, a name that once held promise in the electric truck space, has officially closed its doors. Helen Watson, Bollinger's HR chief, sent out the dreaded email: "We received word late last night that the day has arrived, we are to officially close the doors of Bollinger Motors, effective today, November 21st, 2025." Ouch. That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially right before the holidays. It’s a sobering reminder that bringing a new vehicle, especially an EV, to market is a marathon, not a sprint, and sometimes even the best intentions run out of gas... or in this case, electrons.

Bollinger first caught our eye back in the late 2010s with those cool, boxy B1 and B2 electric pickup and SUV concepts. They looked like something straight out of a military base, ready to tackle anything. But, like many ambitious startups, getting from concept to mass production is a beast. Those initial models never saw the light of a production line. Instead, Mullen Automotive came in, bought a controlling stake in 2022, and Bollinger pivoted to focus on the B4 Class 4 cab-over electric truck chassis. The vision was there, the need for electric commercial vehicles is clear, but the execution? That's where things got sticky, real sticky.

A Trail of Unpaid Bills and Broken Promises

This isn't just about a company failing to launch a product; it’s a story riddled with financial woes that would make a tax auditor weep. A key subcontractor in Nashville, Shane Trucking and Excavating, reportedly walked off the job for The Boring Company (another Musk venture, but a separate issue that hints at a pattern, folks). Now, it seems Bollinger itself was struggling to keep the lights on and pay the folks doing the heavy lifting. Reports indicate the company missed payroll for the last two pay periods. That's not just a hiccup, that's a full-blown financial heart attack.

Beyond missed payroll, the startup faced multiple lawsuits from suppliers, including Thyssenkrupp and Metalsa. Even founder Robert Bollinger sued Mullen Automotive over a $10 million loan! While that one got settled, it paints a picture of a company constantly on the brink. And it gets worse: Michigan had awarded Bollinger $3 million, expecting $44 million in investment and 237 new jobs. As of September, Bollinger had, well, zero new jobs and only 50 base employees. So, the state wants its money back. That's like promising your mom you'd clean your room for $20, then she finds it still trashed and demands her money plus interest. Tough crowd, Michigan. Tough crowd.

The Brutal Reality of Startup Life

Bollinger's demise underscores the brutal realities of the EV startup landscape. It’s not enough to have a cool concept or even some initial funding. You need flawless execution, robust supply chains, deep pockets, and a consistent cash flow. The commercial EV market, while promising, is incredibly capital-intensive and fraught with challenges, from battery development to regulatory hurdles. For every Tesla or Rivian that manages to navigate these treacherous waters, there are countless others like Bollinger that just can't make it work. It's a reminder that the shift to electric vehicles will have its casualties, and not every player gets a trophy.

While the entity that made the B4 electric truck has closed, Mullen Automotive’s CEO, David Michery, who took over Bollinger Motors in June, stated that Bollinger Innovations, the umbrella company, is still open for business. He also promised to make employees "whole with regards to the remaining monies." Let’s hope for the employees’ sake that’s a promise he can keep. But for the Bollinger name as a standalone EV truck maker? Consider the engine lights off.

What’s Next

The ripple effects of Bollinger's closure will be felt, especially by its former employees and suppliers. For the wider EV industry, it's another data point in the ongoing shakeout of startups. Investors will likely scrutinize new ventures even more closely, demanding clearer paths to profitability and more secure funding. We might see further consolidation in the commercial EV space, with stronger players acquiring assets or intellectual property from those who couldn't make it. It’s a harsh lesson, but one that will inevitably shape the future of electric mobility, ensuring that only the most resilient and well-managed companies survive the long haul.

Well, that's it for Bollinger. Another dream deferred, another electric truck gone to the great junkyard in the sky. It's a cruel world, ain't it? Better make sure your next business plan has more than just good looks, or you might end up on the scrap heap yourself. You hear me?