Bollinger Motors has selected Ricardo Defense to produce and supply the braking systems, including ABS and ESC, for its B1 and B2 models, the world’s first all-electric sport utility trucks. This supplier announcement follows the development of the Ricardo ABS/ESC system for the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV, or colloquially the Humvee), and a subsequent five-year prove-out of the system on a pilot project during which a number of Michigan Army National Guard vehicles were fitted for evaluation testing.
According to Ricardo Defense, this earlier work enabled the operational testing of the system to produce a system for the domestic and international defense and commercial sectors. The Bollinger B1 and B2 models will now use the same Ricardo ABS/ESC braking system components already deployed with military units around the world.
Bollinger Motors has received over 25,000 reservations for its all-electric trucks, with production of the electric B1 Sport Utility Truck and electric B2 Pickup Truck slated to start in 2020.
“We are excited to be selected by Bollinger Motors to provide the hydraulic brake system, including callipers and our electronic brake control systems” said Chet Gryczan, president of Ricardo Defense. “Having proven the system in military operational testing and use, we are extremely pleased to be a part of Bollinger’s innovative fully-electric trucks.”
Ricardo Defense engineers at the company’s Detroit technical facility worked closely with the local automotive industry to create the brake and stability control system for use in the defense and automotive sectors. Production supply of the braking system will be from Ricardo’s Van Buren Township, Michigan, facility and will create additional jobs in the suburb close to Detroit’s Metro Airport.
