Earlier quoted context omitted.
The most amazing thing is the photo of the lumber where a hole underneath the dash is revealed allowing the hauling of lumber the entire length of the vehicle. That is an impressive amount of utility right there. Whether quirky features like that would survive the process towards production remain to be seen, but this is certainly an interesting take on a truck that could be very useful in rural America.
A Tesla model S fits 10' lengths of lumber. Just protect the dashboard from scuffing with a blanket.
Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range
191–200 of 283 posts
Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range
#192I know it's a prototype, but I wonder how much thought was put into safety. The simplistic look makes you think there's probably no crumple zones. And there's clearly no driver's airbag, dashboard padding, etc. Edit: The style seems heavily inspired by the original Ford Bronco. They even support the removable rear top. http://classicfordbroncos.com/builds/
Looks more like its inspired by the Land Rover Defender 90 to me. I don't really see the resemblance to a Bronco.
The Defender was a lighter vehicle, closer to a Jeep Wrangler. Both came with roll cages. The Bollinger lacks that, and has a flimsy cab. It needs a roll cage.
Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range
#193Earlier quoted context omitted.
Excuse me? What claims are you making exactly regarding electric vehicles that mean they shouldn't be allowed on public roads?
I am making the claim that while these vehicles may be useful for hauling stuff around farms they should not be abused (see Hummer, Jeep, SUV, pickup trucks, massive mommy waggons). While electric motors allow us to reduce the CO2 emissions somewhat the energy does not magically come from nowhere: there are externalities associated with all methods of power generation. It is a truism that when people think they're ge…
Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range
#194Earlier quoted context omitted.
Are you talking about people buying a truck to get to their desk job, or people buying a truck to haul a load? Those are two different groups with different requirements. The first group like the tough image, but so long as it goes 100 miles round trip and you can put something in it they have their needs met and the rest is about image. This group just needs an electric car drive train. The second group actually nee…
Does the second require more than 200 miles of range between charging (honest question)?
First note that most of these users are loaded - they are now driving a truck rated to get ~20mpg unloaded, but they average ~14mpg because of their extra load. Realistically your 200 mile range to 140 miles.
When you are going from job to job - 25 miles to the first job, then 50 to the next, then 30, you are too far from home to make it back. Generic handyman jobs stay closer to home, but if you are the only mechanic in your city that knows how to fix a paver that might be your life (road equipment is generally repaired/maintained on sight as that is cheaper than bringing them in)
If you are dong warehouse delivery you are probably looking at a bunch of 60 mile round trips before you head back to refill the truck, if you can recharge while the truck is loading you are fine. Fast recharge in current batteries currently reduces their life, but we can budget for that. (there is potential for something like drive 50 miles and put 20 miles worth of charge back, and repeat: this is enough to get to the end of the day and then you do a full recharge overnight)
The farmer going to the tractor and the feed store probably cannot stop to recharge - he might leave the truck sitting most of the day, but never near a power line. However a 200 mile day would be unusual. If we make sure that every shed/barn has a charging station he can probably get by.
Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range
#195Earlier quoted context omitted.
The most amazing thing is the photo of the lumber where a hole underneath the dash is revealed allowing the hauling of lumber the entire length of the vehicle. That is an impressive amount of utility right there. Whether quirky features like that would survive the process towards production remain to be seen, but this is certainly an interesting take on a truck that could be very useful in rural America.
It's cool but it's kind of a gimmick. You can easily haul lumber on almost any vehicle with a roof rack. Many cars with fold down rear seats can fit 8' lumber too.
Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range
#196Earlier quoted context omitted.
Minority view: I dislike airbags. If it were legal - which it is not where I live - I would have them out of my car today. The rest of you are welcome to the damned things and the undoubtedly enhanced security they provide. Me, I shall never be thoroughly comfortable with a giant armed boxing glove pointed at my head. [Edit: typo]
Do you realize that it's your face that crashes into the airbag? It doesn't launch into you. Also your car's engine is a series of constant explosions connected to a giant tank of gas.
Depends on the manufacturer of the airbags...so YMMV.
/I'm looking at you, Takata...
Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range
#197Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range
#198It's encouraging to see this. It's about time for electric pickup trucks. The price point ($60K) is going to be a problem for work trucks. They talk about high speed, not low-speed high-torque. They don't say much about how the drivetrain behaves at low speed. Do they have locking differentials, or something that prevents wheel spin? It's a two-motor system. Does the motor control system know how to keep the front an…
Ford used to sell (in the 90s) an electric Ranger. It used lead acid batteries.
It wasn't a big seller, and it didn't get great range - but it did exist for a bit. Not sure why they made it, though.
/The Ford Ranger (ICE) was actually a very popular small pickup for commercial usage; tons of companies used them, especially utility companies or other companies of that nature. They tended to be very rugged little workhorses, and their size - though small - was still very capable of handling some decent sized loads.
Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range
#199Earlier quoted context omitted.
I wonder how many more wrecks happen due to the reduction of visibility caused by extra wide columns needed to fit the side curtains.
The need for the side columns to have a degree of strength is a bigger problem for visibility that the bulk added by side curtains. Driving '60 and 70's cars was great for visibility due to the amount of glass and narrow pillars. The risk of dying in a relatively low speed accident was less ideal.
Re: Bollinger B1: An electric truck with 360HP and up to 200 mile range
#200It's encouraging to see this. It's about time for electric pickup trucks. The price point ($60K) is going to be a problem for work trucks. They talk about high speed, not low-speed high-torque. They don't say much about how the drivetrain behaves at low speed. Do they have locking differentials, or something that prevents wheel spin? It's a two-motor system. Does the motor control system know how to keep the front an…