Electric vehicle startup Bollinger Motors said it's developing an electrified refrigerated truck with trailer and truck body manufacturer Wabash.

The companies announced Wednesday that Wabash's lightweight composite technology, called EcoNex Technology, will be combined with Bollinger's electric chassis cab to create a Class 4 refrigerated truck. EcoNex reduces the amount of electricity needed to maintain cool temperatures, according to the statement.

"The all-electric truck we're developing with Bollinger Motors will be highly efficient with more uptime and less charging compared to conventional construction," Mark Ehrlich, Wabash's vice president of new business development, said in a statement.

The joint effort offers customers weight savings and fleet electrification, according to the statement.

The refrigerated EV will act as last-mile transportation for consumer delivery, said Robert Bollinger, founder of Bollinger Motors.

A production time line was not given.

This is Bollinger's second announcement this month after Mullen Automotive Inc. became its majority owner Sept. 7. Mullen spent $148.2 million on its 60 percent stake in Bollinger, of which Robert Bollinger remains CEO.

The suburban Detroit startup has focused on the electrification of trucks over the last seven years, according to CEO Bollinger. An electrified crossover and pickup dubbed B1 and B2, respectively, were put on hold earlier this year to focus on commercial EV fleet development.

Mullen's multimillion-dollar investment will help Bollinger get its commercial EVs to production, Bollinger said.

Wabash was not available for comment.

Have an opinion about this story? Click here to submit a Letter to the Editor, and we may publish it in print.

Please enter a valid email address.

Please enter your email address.

Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

See more newsletter options at autonews.com/newsletters. You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

Sign up and get the best of Automotive News delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

The Automotive News mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in North America.

1155 Gratiot Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48207-2997

Automotive News ISSN 0005-1551 (print) ISSN 1557-7686 (online)

Fixed Ops Journal ISSN 2576-1064 (print) ISSN 2576-1072 (online)