Cybertruck

Make
Tesla
Segment
Sports Car

Electric vehicles and hybrids are generally very heavy, thanks to bulky battery packs that add weight. These battery packs also take up space, making most electric vehicles less practical than similarly sized gas-powered vehicles. On full EVs, there is at least no traditional powertrain componentry running down the vehicle, and now Bollinger is taking advantage of this space with an innovation that increases cargo-carrying ability. Much like rear- and mid-engined sportscars, Bollinger's B1 and B2 trucks have a front trunk, or "frunk", that opens much like a hatch would. What's unique about Bollinger's innovation is that this is also a portal into the middle of the vehicle, something that not even the Tesla Cybertruck has. Now we understand why Bollinger was chasing certain patents relating to its vehicles.

Bollinger was recently granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Dubbed a "frunkgate" the front portal leads to a straight passthrough that allows the B1 to load items of 13 feet in length while the B2 can accommodate anything up to 16 feet long. Naturally, if you keep the rear tailgate lowered, longer items can be stored. As simple as the idea is, it's very effective and makes these vehicles much more practical. What this means, in the long run, is that electric vehicles will be less likely to be shunned by tradesmen and those who value practicality.

Even if you don't use the full length of Bollinger's vehicles for loading longer items, each frunk compartment on either model can carry 8.6 cubic feet worth of cargo, in addition to what the rear compartments on each can carry. With this sort of smart packaging, Bollinger will be taking the fight to Tesla and its Cybertruck in a convincing manner. Still, both the B1 and B2 start at $125,000 and we can't help but note that this kind of pricing doesn't make any Bollinger accessible to the regular buyer. Does this mean that the likes of Rivian will be more attractive to the market? Time will tell.