BMW’s shift to cylindrical cells is official. Bollinger B1 and B2 electric trucks are back on, thanks to Mullen investment. Harbinger bows in the commercial-EV space with claims it can cost less. And we drive the Lexus RX 450h+. This and more, here at Green Car Reports. 

In a brief drive review of the 2023 Lexus RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid, we found the most electric—but not fully electric—version of this bestselling luxury crossover to fall a bit short of the mileage and acceleration demonstrated by the smaller NX 450h+ and Toyota RAV4 Prime. 

BMW this morning confirmed its shift to cylindrical cells in upcoming EVs, along with promises of up to 30% more range, faster charging, and cell-to-pack technology in vehicles set to start arriving in 2025. It also outlined plans to halve the cost of batteries and incorporate LFP cells in upcoming models. A solid-state demonstrator and U.S.-built batteries are all part of the plan, too.

A new commercial EV startup called Harbinger is claiming to erase the up-front cost premium of electric commercial-duty trucks versus internal combustion ones. With a modular battery pack and “eAxle,” plus steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems and 800-volt DC fast-charging claimed to be just an hour, it might hit a sweet spot on technology versus cost. 

With a majority stake announced in Michigan’s Bollinger Motors announced Thursday, Mullen Automotive is apparently reviving plans for the Bollinger B1 electric SUV and B2 electric pickup. A release on the deal said that B1 and B2 production will start after Bollinger’s commercial trucks go into production in Michigan, with Roush as a contract manufacturer.

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BMW is reversing course and embracing a type of cell it previously rejected, with huge goals to cut costs, boost efficiency, and perhaps speed up EV adoption.

EV startup says scalable powertrains can make electric commercial vehicles more competitive.

The Bollinger B1 and B2 were bound to be rugged cult-favorite heavy-duty EVs, and now with Mullen Automotive's majority stake in Bollinger they might once again be a possibility.

The RX 450h+ will cost more and weigh more than hybrid versions of the popular Lexus crossover—without remarkable performance or electric range.

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