Will Bollinger’s Deliver-E Cargo Van Rush Straight Past Rivian?
Pickup trucks aren’t the only commercial vehicles going electric. Several delivery and cargo van manufacturers are also starting to ditch combustion for battery packs. Rivian is developing one for Amazon, and GM is working on an EV version of the beloved Express and Savanna. And now, rival electric SUV and pickup company Bollinger might be joining, too. At least, that’s what the newly-unveiled Bollinger Deliver-E concept suggests.
The Bollinger Deliver-E delivery cargo van
Bollinger already has several commercial vehicles on the way. Its Chassis Cab truck is the first production electric Class 3 truck. There’s also the E-Chassis, a fully-customizable bare chassis with the same powertrain components.
The Bollinger Deliver-E delivery cargo van, though, doesn’t ride on that chassis, Motor Trend reports. That’s because the E-Chassis includes low-range gearing and ground-clearance-increasing portal axles. Both are great for off-roading, but less useful when you have to load or drop off packages.
Not only does the Deliver-E lack those features, but it also has conventional (not in-board) disc brakes and anti-roll bars rather than cross-linked hydraulics. Also, the cargo van only has a single front-mounted electric motor, rated at 307 hp and 334 lb-ft, Autoblog reports.
However, the Bollinger Deliver-E does retain the brand’s other powertrain components. That includes an in-floor battery pack, available in 70-, 105-, 145-, 170-, and 210-kWh configuration. There’s also a 35-kWh version available for short-distance urban delivery routes. And they’re all DC fast-charger-compatible.
Plus, going with a single motor has a practical purpose: it keeps the rear cargo area flat. And without the portal axles, it means the cargo van has an 18” load height, Car and Driver reports. Also, despite lacking the B1’s and B2’s adjustable suspension, the Deliver-E has an 8” ground clearance.
Bollinger will offer the Deliver-E in a variety of wheelbase lengths, and that’s only one possible customization option. Buyers can specify different roof heights, GVWRs, motor output, and even door configuration.
What we still don’t know
As of this writing, Bollinger hasn’t released official pricing for the Deliver-E delivery cargo van. The Chassis Cab truck starts at $125,000. But given the van’s simplified nature, it will likely cost less than that.
Bollinger claims that Deliver-E deliveries will start in 2022. However, the EV company won’t be producing the delivery cargo van itself. Instead, it will partner with an external manufacturer to produce the vans as well as the necessary support infrastructure. That partner has not been named as of this writing.
How does the Deliver-E compare to Rivian’s and Mercedes’ electric delivery cargo vans?
Rivian hasn’t released official specs for its upcoming Amazon delivery cargo van. Nor has it indicated if it will offer the van to other companies.
However, it is based on the same Rivian skateboard platform that underpins the R1T and R1S, Car and Driver reports. That means it could have 4 electric motors, AWD, and a 180-kWh battery pack. But it’s the Bollinger Deliver-E may be able to carry more cargo. The B2 has a payload capacity of 5000 pounds. However, the R1T’s payload capacity is only 1760 pounds, Car and Driver reports.
Bollinger’s electric cargo van will also have to contend with Mercedes’ eSprinter, at least in Europe. Amazon has ordered 1200 units for European deliveries, Reuters reports, as well as 600 of the smaller eVitos. The eSprinter’s largest battery only offers 55 kWh, good for about 104 miles of range, Motor1 reports. However, it can also carry up to 1964 pounds of cargo. The 41-kWh model only has about 72 miles of range, but can carry 240 pounds more.
Unfortunately, as of this writing, there’s no indication Mercedes will offer the eSprinter in the US. Which makes sense, given that its range is better-suited to European-city-scale distances.
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