Another EV Startup Is on the Brink of Death

Remeber Bollinger Motors? The last time we checked in on the EV startup, it was filing a lawsuit against UK-based Munro for patent infringement. Prior to that, the company decided to step away from plans to build its blocky B1 SUV and B2 pickup in favor of a large commercial vehicle called the B4. Now, that all could be coming to an end.

The company is reportedly in receivership pending liquidation, according to Automotive News. The company’s founder and former CEO Robert Bollinger filed a lawsuit on March 21 claiming he was owed $10 million. Bollinger stepped away from the company in June 2024; it’s currently owned by California-based Mullen Automotive Inc.

The lawsuit claims Bollinger issued a $10 million loan to the company that required periodic interest payments, and those payment terms haven’t been met. Automotive News reports Bollinger requested the company be put into receivership to secure all its assets, which were collateral for the loan. Apparently, representatives for Mullen didn’t show up to a May 7 court hearing on the matter, so the judge granted the receivership request.

That means all of Bollinger Motors’ assets are now frozen, including an unknown number of B4 trucks assembled and awaiting buyers. Furthermore, Robert Bollinger apparently isn’t the only one taking legal action in the matter. Automotive News claims at least two other lawsuits involving suppliers are also in the mix. The appointed receiver has 30 days from the date of the ruling to submit a plan for Bollinger Motors to pay its debts, which could include a full liquidation of the company.

In an email to Motor1, Bollinger Motors President and CEO Bryan Chambers provided the following statement:

“We can’t comment on the outcome of the court case at this time. During this period, we are focused on moving forward and remain committed to bringing our customers a world-class vehicle, and we remain optimistic about our future and the impact we will have on the commercial vehicle market.”

“We continue to work with our dealers to sell and service the Bollinger B4. We have temporarily paused production as we adjust to current market conditions and plan for Model Year 2026 production.”

A quick check of Bollinger Motors’ website shows a press release from April 29 announcing a Bollinger B4 sale to the Lower East Side Ecology Center in New York. Another press release states “multiple” Bollinger B4 sales to EnviroCharge on April 15, with the first slated to appear at the Advanced Clean Trucking (ACT) Expo in California starting April 28. It’s unclear if the truck was there.