The Electric Graveyard: When EV Dreams Go Up in Smoke (and End Up on Facebook)
There’s something eerily poetic about finding a failed EV startup’s prototype on Facebook Marketplace. It’s like stumbling upon a ghost from the tech bubble’s past, a relic of overhyped promises and underfunded dreams. The Mullen Five, once touted as the next big thing in electric luxury crossovers, is now just another oddity among the talking fish and questionable project cars. Personally, I think this says more about the EV goldrush than any success story ever could.
The Rise and Fall of Mullen: A Cautionary Tale
Let’s rewind to 2014, when the EV hype train was just picking up speed. Mullen Automotive, founded by David Michery, seemed like just another player in the race to dethrone Tesla. But what makes this particularly fascinating is how quickly it all unraveled. From rebranding unsold Coda sedans to the laughably ambitious Mullen GT, the company’s strategy felt like a patchwork of shortcuts and wishful thinking. In my opinion, Mullen’s story isn’t just about failure—it’s about the dangers of overpromising and underdelivering in an industry that demands both innovation and execution.
Prototypes: The Ghosts of EV Past
The Mullen Five prototype on Facebook Marketplace is more than just a curiosity; it’s a symbol of the EV industry’s growing pains. What many people don’t realize is that prototypes like these are often more show than substance. Sure, the Mullen Five boasted insane specs—sub-two-second 0-60 mph, 1,000+ horsepower—but let’s be real: those numbers were probably more marketing fantasy than engineering reality. If you take a step back and think about it, this prototype is a reminder that not every shiny concept car is destined for greatness.
The BMW Connection: A Detail That Raises Eyebrows
One thing that immediately stands out is the Mullen Five’s use of BMW switchgear. The steering wheel, indicator stalks, and even the airbag scream “parts bin special.” This raises a deeper question: was the Mullen Five more of a rebadged BMW X3 than an original design? From my perspective, this isn’t just a quirky detail—it’s a red flag. It suggests that Mullen was cutting corners, cobbling together a vehicle rather than building something truly innovative. What this really suggests is that the line between “startup” and “hustle” can be dangerously thin.
The Future of Failed EV Dreams
So, what happens to these prototypes now? The Mullen Five on Facebook Marketplace is priced at $20,000, but its buyer pool is likely limited to collectors or EV enthusiasts with a taste for the bizarre. Personally, I think this is just the beginning. As more EV startups flame out, we’ll see more of these relics pop up in unexpected places. It’s a trend that speaks to the volatility of the industry—and the harsh reality that not every company can be the next Tesla.
Final Thoughts: The EV Bubble’s Aftermath
If there’s one takeaway from the Mullen Five’s Facebook Marketplace debut, it’s this: the EV goldrush is over, and the bodies are starting to pile up. What makes this particularly interesting is how quickly the hype has faded. Just a few years ago, companies like Mullen were hailed as the future of transportation. Now, their prototypes are collectibles, their promises forgotten. In my opinion, this is a wake-up call for the industry—and for investors. The next time someone promises a 200 mph electric crossover, maybe we should all ask for a test drive first.
P.S. If anyone does end up buying this Mullen Five prototype, I’d love to see it in an EV museum. Right next to the Fisker Ocean and the Lordstown Endurance. It’s the perfect place for these ghosts of the goldrush—a reminder of what could have been, and what definitely wasn’t.
