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. Personally, I think this Mullen Five prototype isn’t just a car; it’s a symbol of the EV gold rush’s darker side. What makes this particularly fascinating is how quickly the shine wears off in this industry. One day, you’re the next Tesla; the next, you’re selling your prototypes alongside used rims and questionable energy drinks.
The Rise and Fall of Mullen: A Cautionary Tale
Mullen Automotive’s story is a masterclass in ambition outpacing reality. Founded in 2014 by David Michery, the company started by buying Coda, a failed EV brand known for rebadging Chinese cars. In my opinion, this was the first red flag—relying on someone else’s leftovers instead of building something truly innovative. The Mullen GT, their supposed halo car, was a disaster. Jason Torchinsky’s description of it as “chimp-crafted” wasn’t just funny; it was accurate. What many people don’t realize is that the GT was essentially a 2007 concept car repackaged as cutting-edge tech. If you take a step back and think about it, this pattern of rebranding and overpromising became Mullen’s signature move.
The Mullen Five: A Prototype’s Uncertain Fate
The Mullen Five was supposed to be their redemption—a luxury crossover with absurd performance claims. Zero to 60 in under two seconds? Over 1,000 horsepower? It sounded like a fantasy car for the 1%. But here’s the thing: prototypes are often more show than substance. A detail that I find especially interesting is the BMW switchgear in this prototype. Steering wheel, indicator stalks, airbag—all straight from a BMW parts bin. This raises a deeper question: Was the Mullen Five just a BMW X3 in disguise? Given the seller’s other listings (two BMW X3 shells at the same location), it’s not a stretch to think so.
Why This Matters: The EV Bubble’s Hidden Costs
What this really suggests is that the EV industry’s rapid growth has left a trail of half-baked ideas and wasted resources. For every success story like Rivian, there are countless Mullens and Fiskers. From my perspective, this isn’t just about failed startups; it’s about the environmental and financial costs of chasing trends without substance. Those prototypes don’t just disappear—they end up in landfills, on Facebook Marketplace, or worse.
The Future of EV Startups: Lessons from the Graveyard
If there’s one takeaway from Mullen’s story, it’s that innovation can’t be faked. Rebadging cars and making wild claims might work in the short term, but it’s not sustainable. Personally, I think the EV industry needs to slow down and focus on quality over hype. What makes this particularly fascinating is how quickly the market can turn—one day you’re a pioneer, the next you’re selling your dreams for $20,000 on Facebook.
Final Thoughts: A Prototype’s Legacy
This Mullen Five prototype isn’t just a car; it’s a time capsule of an era defined by ambition and naivety. In my opinion, it deserves a place in an EV museum, right next to the Lordstown Endurance and Fisker Ocean. It’s a reminder that not all innovation survives, but every failure has a story to tell. What this really suggests is that the road to the future is paved with more than just good intentions—it’s also paved with the remnants of dreams that didn’t quite make it.
So, if you’re the kind of person who sees beauty in imperfection, maybe this prototype is for you. Just don’t expect it to hit 200 mph—or even start on the first try.
