Lightship, the Broomfield-based manufacturer of all-electric recreational vehicles, is more than doubling its manufacturing footprint to meet growing demand for its flagship AE.1 travel trailer.
The company is expanding its existing 32,000-square-foot facility by approximately 44,000 square feet, bringing the total footprint in Broomfield’s Baseline Innovation District to roughly 76,000 square feet, according to an article by The Denver Post.
Construction is currently underway, with operations in the new space expected to begin by mid-summer 2026.
According to CEO Toby Kraus, the expansion will allow the company to increase its production from roughly 80 units this year to approximately 500 units annually by the end of 2026.
This scaling effort follows a successful $26.6 million fundraising round and a recent $34 million Series B round designed to accelerate production.
The company currently employs roughly 100 people in Colorado and plans to increase its local workforce as production capacity grows.
Alongside the facility expansion, Lightship has streamlined its product lineup, making the 77-kilowatt-hour battery—previously a premium feature—standard across all builds.
The AE.1 model now starts at $157,500, with a focus on a single configurable platform that can be tailored for home backup power, extended travel, or full-time living.
The trailer features the proprietary TrekDrive self-propulsion system, which uses an onboard motor to significantly reduce the towing load, resulting in an estimated range loss of only 3% for the towing vehicle.
Lightship continues to prioritize domestic manufacturing, sourcing approximately 80% of its component value within the United States.
Co-founder and Chief Product Officer Ben Parker noted that this direct-to-consumer, U.S.-based model allows the company to rapidly incorporate customer feedback into product improvements.
The AE.1 also includes an aerodynamic “road mode” with a lowering canopy and “camp mode” that raises the roof to 10.1 feet, providing sleeping space for up to five people.
This expansion represents a major push toward the commercialization of all-electric towables in the North American market.
The scaling of Lightship’s production highlights a growing segment of travelers who do not rely on traditional propane or gas generators, emphasizing the need for high-capacity electrical pedestals and potential demand for dedicated EV-charging infrastructure within outdoor resorts.