Lightship, America’s first all-electric recreational vehicle (RV) company, announced Wednesday the launch of the Lightship L1 — an aerodynamic, battery-powered travel trailer and the first purpose-built travel trailer with a self-propulsion system that enables near zero range or mile-per-gallon efficiency loss for the vehicle towing it.
Lightship co-founders Ben Parker and Toby Kraus saw an opportunity in the RV industry that reminded them of the early days they’d seen working at Tesla. Advancements, much less genuine innovation, had stagnated in the RV industry, the result of the market being dominated by only a few large companies.
“One in 10 American families own an RV, but the RV industry hasn’t experienced innovation for decades,” said Ben Parker, Lightship Co-Founder and CEO. “Inefficient, unreliable product designs and a power experience that relies on smelly, noisy, gas or propane generators fundamentally hinder the amazing experience of traveling in the outdoors.”
Lightship is taking a clean-sheet approach to building an all-electric recreational vehicle the same way Tesla disrupted the established automakers. The Lightship team, which includes alumni from Rivian, Proterra, Lucid and Zoox in addition to Tesla, is leveraging their expertise in automotive EV development and design to deliver the following:
- A hyper-efficient design that is three times more aerodynamic than a traditional travel trailer for longer range and greater efficiency, which means a 300-mile range electric vehicle (EV) used to tow it remains a 300-mile range EV, and a 25-mpg gas truck remains a 25-mpg gas truck.
- An electric powertrain with up to 80 kWh of onboard battery capacity allowing the trailer to propel itself and achieve near-zero range or efficiency loss for the tow vehicle.
- A no-compromise battery system that can provide a week of off-grid power without charging. Coupled with up to 3 kW of solar power, the RV can power the living needs of its occupants and eliminates the reliance on propane and other fossil fuels.
- An ecosystem of all-electric appliances, connected features, and modern amenities for a seamless camping experience.
- The Lightship L1 has a starting price of $125,000 or $118,400 after an available tax credit and is available now for a $500 reservation at www.lightshiprv.com. Production is expected to begin in late 2024.
“With 90% of the market comprising of towable RVs, we began by creating an all-electric travel trailer that is unlike any RV available today and that is just the beginning,” said Lightship Co-Founder and President Toby Kraus. “We are leveraging our expertise in automotive EV development and design to build a brand that creates delightful outdoor travel experiences for everyone and brings even more people into the pastime of RVing.”
Lightship L1 Travel Trailer
Additional specifications include:
- Length: 27 ft
- Width: 8 ft 6 in
- Height: 6 ft 9 in (road mode); 10 ft (camp mode)
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 7,500 lbs. (fully loaded)
- Sleeping capacity: 4-6 depending on configuration
This article is based on a press release from Lightship
##RVT1095b
Let’s see that is one charging port for the TV and one charging port for the TT and campgrounds will be glad to add this additional 100 amp service? As noted those charging stations that are currently in use require that the TT be disconnected as there are no pull through charging stations. So we park the TT in one then disconnect and park the TV in another every so time we stop for a quick 45 minute 90% charge. This sounds so practical.
Real practical. Perhaps the target market for these campers should be China who permits and completes construction of 2 BRAND NEW COAL FIRED POWER PLANTS PER WEEK, in 2022. Seems like they will have the needed capacity to double or triple capacity soon.
More than a little irritated that you’re proclaiming ( or accepting the Lightships claim) as the first all electric RV. Last time I looked, Snoozy2 was continuing the all electric molded fiberglass trailer pioneered by LilSnoozy. I picked up my LilSnoozy December 2016 and my trailer number was 190. Snoozy is aerodynamically designed, lightweight because of the molded fiberglass, and all electric. I believe that since it weighs less than 3,000 lbs it could be probably be towed by an electric car. The price is a lot more reasonable also, less than $30,000. Check out Snoozy2 on FB or Google it. Sean Palyok lists his cell phone number and would love to hear from anyone interested in an electric trailer.
I just love how the CEO disses the folks who he hopes will one day upgrade to his product: “Inefficient, unreliable product designs and a power experience that relies on smelly, noisy, gas or propane generators…”.
Until there are plenty of resources to make all of these Lithium batteries (until a better technology is available), and there is a sufficient grid to re-charge said batteries (unless one opts for the large solar array on the roof, which I think is a very good idea to do), I will continue to travel/glamp in my trailer that he so despises, using solar, Lithium, and propane, very-rarely using a generator or campground electric. No need to say that all current glampers (tow-behind or self-powered) are horrible, nasty, fall-apart pieces of junk. Evangelists are hard to listen to, even if they have a good idea. Like his idea – resurrecting the Hi-Lo concept. He neglects to mention that one will have to clean lots of windows when they get to camp.
Excellent idea.
Up to this point the only “innovations” to come to the old RV industry have been fake leather furniture that peels after 2 years, flashing multicolor LED lights installed in every nook and cranny that make your rig look like something that should be parked at the tacky gogo bar.
But, have you sent your $500.00 yet?
Humm. Innovative thinking!! using the least sought after towable configuration to launch the future of RVIng.
There’s a reason why mainstream rv manufacturers don’t make this type of travel trailer. It’s because you have to run the top up and down to access inside your trailer every time you need to get something in or out of it. Sure, there are some people who can plan well enough to avoid having to stop and get things in or out but that’s just not most folks.
We like to stop for lunch and eat in our rv, use our bathroom let the dogs lay in their beds etc.
Yes, you can sell some of them but not to full timers. Or the vast majority of the market. IMHO
Expensive to purchase but so was the first microwave, computer, flip phone, smartphone, and flat screen TV’s. I suspect that over time the price will come down and we will see more and more. Biggest obstacle as we know it today to the EV revolution is where all of the juice is coming from
In the early 1990s I paid $119 apiece for 2 LED bulbs. I like to think my purchase helped indicate there would be a market for them and encouraged their further development,
What A “Crock’….
Hahahahaaa. Only $500.00 for a reservation to hahaha get on a list to hahahaaha buy hahahahaha hohoho an unrealistic hahaha unicorn of a hahahaha idea.
You get a ⭐, Cancelproof, for the most laughter in one comment. 😆 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Thanks for monitoring Diane.
Just part of my job, J B. 😉 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
seed money…
Gonna need lots of water and natural fertilizer from the “one born every day crowd” to get that seed germinated. OMG, funniest RV unicorn yet.
Yep!
This, at first look, is wonderful news for every aspect of life! However, where does the power come from to charge all this stuff and where do the dead remains go- recycling batteries etc.. We currently have power brown-outs and stop use demands and we can’t or won’t build new power plants!!! I wonder if a generator could be put on a driveshaft? Walla – perpetual motion! Oh friction loss and weight – darn!
I do like the concept of this unit – nothing ventured, nothing gained!
Hmmm, …. something that “… brings even more people into the pastime of RVing” sounds ominous unless the number of available campsites expands tremendously. Alternately, the newbies this trailer and others like it attract might merely fill BLM land sufficiently to make it appear to be a huge campground with no utilities. Of course, the sticking point will be the price.
Hey, only $125K for a popup camper (plus tax, reg., insurance)! What a deal! Financially one would be WAY better off to just get a popup camper and pay just a little more in fuel cost. While it is proclaimed to not cost in the tow vehicle’s fuel efficiency, one is still going to have to pay to charge the camper on the road, so it is not a reduction in total cost. That solar on board isn’t going to recharge much of anything during your overnight stay while traveling.
I see they have learned something from Elon though. Pay to hold a spot and then put up with all the delays from the originally promised dates and probably far higher end costs for a finished unit when they finally make them.
Also…decades of NO innovation in RV’s??? What a load of BS!
With a self propelled feature, what could possibly go wrong? During a lightning storm and a power surge? Sound asleep?
I’m in the “worriy more about making an RV stop” or not move, than I am about helping itself out on the journey. LOL 🤪🤣😅🤣😅🤣
Maybe we could put it in front of the truck, call it class A and call the tow vehicle truck a toad. 😅🤣😅🤣
What a great idea
Maybe you will be able to tow it behind an electric bike. It is partially self-propelled.
With mfg trying to make everything battery. Will there be enough material for batteries and could you imagine the size of the infrastructure cables.
Details, details. Don’t question the unicorn-seekers.
WOW, can’t wait to see one of these up close. Just a couple weeks ago I saw an eRV2 at Jonathan Dickinson SP, FL. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to talk with the folks.
Hopefully, this change will also bring around overall better quality builds.