Lightship takes the camper-van into the electric age

American electric recreational vehicle company Lightship has unveiled the Lightship L1, an aerodynamic, battery-powered, and self-propelled travel trailer (or caravan) that delivers near-zero efficiency loss for the vehicle towing it.

Former Tesla employees and Lightship co-founders Ben Parker and Toby Kraus founded Lightship in 2020 with a goal to transition “RVing” into the electric age.

What an American calls an RV, or recreational vehicle, might be better known as a campervan in Australia, whereas a RV trailer is better known here as a caravan.

Whatever you call it, though, the Lightship L1 looks stunning, and has the electric bonafides to match the EV transition.

With a hyper-efficient and aerodynamic design that allows for longer range and greater efficiency, Lightship explains that “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.”

This is helped by an electric powertrain with up to 80kWh of onboard battery capacity, which allows the trailer to propel itself and achieve near-zero range or efficiency loss for the towing vehicle.

Lightship also promises a “no-compromise battery system” that claims to be able to “provide a week of off-grid power without charging” – though whether this is the same as the powertrain’s onboard battery is uncertain.

However, the trailer itself is coupled with a 3kW rooftop solar power system that likely extends the energy use options and eliminates the need for additional fuels for cooking.

Able to sleep between 4 to 6, depending on configuration, measuring just over 8 metres in length, 2.6 metres wide, and 2 metres tall in travel mode and 3 metres tall when deployed, the Lightship L1 weighs 3,400kg when fully loaded.

The Lightship also comes with what the company bills as “an ecosystem of all-electric appliances, connected features, and modern amenities for a seamless camping experience”.

With a starting price in the United States of $US125,000 ($A187,500) or $US118,400 after an available tax credit, Lightship is hoping to begin production in late 2024, though pre-orders are now open at www.lightshiprv.com for a deposit of $US500 ($A750).

“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.”

“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,” added Toby Kraus, Lightship co-founder and president.

“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.”