A US startup called Lightship aims to be the Tesla of RV makers with its battery-powered touring trailers.
Founded in 2020, Lightship on Wednesday unveiled the L1, a trailer with an 80 kWh battery pack that not only powers the devices but also helps propel the trailer. This propulsion system means that the electric vehicle towing it will not lose range and the fuel economy of an internal combustion vehicle will not be affected, according to Lightship, the company stated in a statement. press release that the 300-mile tram “will still be a 300-mile electric vehicle” while towing the L1.
At 27 feet long, 8 feet 6 wide and 10 feet tall in maximum space camping mode, the L1 is also more aerodynamic than a traditional trailer and can run on batteries for up to a week. without charging, according to the Lighthouse. The solar panels can also generate up to 3 kilowatts of power, the company claims, eliminating the need for propane or gasoline-powered generators.
Lightship L1 . battery powered travel trailer
Lightship was founded by former Tesla employees Ben Parker and Toby Kraus, and claims to have Rivian and Lucid veterans, as well as electric bus maker Proterra and autonomous vehicle startup Zoox . Parker and Kraus aim to apply the same ethos of these companies to the RV market.
“Lightship is taking an obvious approach to building an all-electric RV in the same way that Tesla has disrupted established automakers,” according to the press release.
The L1 certainly resembles Tesla in some ways. Its $125,000 base price equates to a post-loaded Model X Plaid recent discounts. Lightship claims the L1 will qualify for the $6,600 tax credit and is currently accepting $500 reservations. Production is expected to begin in late 2024.
Lightship L1 . battery powered travel trailer
RV life with electric vehicles will require some new approaches, as real-world range could be cut in half when towing a tractor. Lightship is not the only company working on such methods.
Last year’s airflow reveal eStream, with the claim that it is capable of increasing range (or mpg when towed by a petrol car). That is built on Electronic caravan at home built by European motorhome manufacturer Dethleffs, with technology from supplier ZF.
Colorado Teardrops unveiled another concept, where the trailer carries an additional battery pack in a camper’s trailer, which is then used to give the EV an additional fee.
