Bollinger Motors, the Michigan-based electric vehicle startup known for its rugged battery-electric truck designs, has officially ceased operations following months of mounting financial difficulties. Employees were informed of the immediate closure in late November through an internal communication, marking the end of a decade-long effort to bring the company’s electric truck and commercial platform concepts to market.
The shutdown follows a turbulent year for the manufacturer. In May 2025, Bollinger was placed into receivership after a legal dispute involving founder Robert Bollinger over unpaid compensation and financial control. That action temporarily froze company assets and halted operations. Mullen Automotive, which held a controlling stake of approximately 95% in Bollinger, announced in June that the company had been released from receivership after a settlement was reached. At the time, Mullen stated that Bollinger would resume forward progress on its commercial EV programs.
However, financial pressures intensified through the latter half of the year. According to employee accounts and public reporting, the company struggled to meet payroll and vendor obligations in the weeks prior to its shutdown. Multiple wage-claim filings were submitted to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and suppliers reported missed payments as operational activities slowed.
Bollinger originally launched with the B1 and B2 electric truck prototypes before shifting its business focus to Class 3–6 electric commercial vehicles. Despite interest from fleets and continued investment from Mullen, production never scaled to commercial volumes. The company also faced a competitive and capital-intensive market environment, with numerous EV startups competing for funding, supply chain access, and manufacturing capacity.
As of the closure announcement, neither Bollinger nor Mullen has released a detailed public statement outlining next steps for employees, customers, or creditors. It remains unclear whether Bollinger’s remaining assets or intellectual property will be sold, restructured, or absorbed into Mullen Automotive’s broader EV portfolio.
