San Francisco-based Lightship has unveiled the Lightship L1, an all-electric travel trailer that is the first purpose-built travel trailer with a self-propulsion system.
Lightship has taken a clean-sheet approach to creating an all-electric recreational vehicle (RV) that provides greater efficiency, longer range, and a seamless camping experience.
The L1 has an electric powertrain that can generate up to 80 kWh of onboard battery capacity and near-zero range or efficiency loss for the tow vehicle.
The hyper-efficient design of the L1 is three times more aerodynamic than a traditional travel trailer, enabling longer range and greater efficiency.
The RV is also equipped with a no-compromise battery system that can provide a week of off-grid power without charging.
The L1’s amenities include 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 and is available for pre-order for $500 on the company’s website. Production is expected to begin in late 2024.
The Lightship team, which includes alumni from Tesla, Rivian, Proterra, Lucid, and Zoox, is leveraging their 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.
The Lightship L1 is a finalist in the 2023 SXSW Innovation Awards design category, and the Lightship team will showcase the prototype of the L1 at SXSW in Austin.
The company completed a Series A funding round in the summer of 2022, led by Victoria Beasley of Prelude Ventures, and a Seed funding round in 2021 led by Andrew Beebe of Obvious Ventures. Other Lightship investors include Congruent Ventures, My Climate Journey, HyperGuap, Alumni Ventures, Climactic, and Tony Fadell’s Build Collective.
The Lightship L1 is an innovation in the RV industry that will provide a new level of sustainable and eco-friendly camping experiences for families.
Since the Lightship L1 is 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, it means that it is highly efficient and eco-friendly, making it a game-changer for the industry that has long been criticized for its reliance on gas and propane generators.
Furthermore, the Lightship L1’s no-compromise battery system can provide a week of off-grid power without charging and 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.
The Lightship L1 represents a significant shift in the RV industry towards more sustainable and eco-friendly travel trailers, and with one in 10 American families owning an RV, the potential impact of this technology on the industry and the environment is significant.
About Lightship
Founded in 2020, Lightship is America’s first all-electric RV company on a mission to reimagine the recreational vehicle experience by designing and producing aerodynamic, battery-powered trailers for the electric age.
As the macro transition to an all-electric transportation ecosystem accelerates, Lightship is building a critical element to enable the electrification of pickup trucks and SUVs, while bringing the increased convenience and superior performance that electrification offers to a pastime enjoyed by 1 in 10 American families. Based in San Francisco and Boulder, Colorado, Lightship sells its products direct to U.S. consumers on the company’s website: https://www.lightshiprv.com/.
Featured image from Lightship
Have you checked out Lightship’s L1 electric travel trailer? It’s a game-changer for sustainable camping. The features and design are top-notch! I think it’s the future of eco-friendly adventures.