Manufacturing can be 1,000% harder than designing, to quote Elon Musk, the man who inadvertently inspired the creation of the Lightship L1 RV, America’s first all-electric camper. As it makes its way there, the product can undergo changes that make it unrecognizable from the original idea. That doesn’t appear to be the case with the Lightship L1.
In March 2023, startup Lightship proudly announced “America's First All-Electric RV” L1. Designed unlike any other camper on the market, it not only had a solar-lined roof and solar cells built into the awnings to run all the appliances on board on solar power, but it also had its own electric motor that made it possible to tow using a Electric vehicle ideal since it would not compromise its capacity in the slightest.
Believe it or not, that was the proverbial icing on the cake. The L1 also claimed to be three times more aerodynamic than a typical travel trailer, thanks to its dual-use mode. In travel mode, it sat lower to the ground and lower than the towing vehicle, reducing drag. In camping mode, it expanded upward to double its size and accommodate the entire family.
In theory, the Lightship L1 RV was an absolute dream. Sustainable, efficient, compact yet roomy enough to sleep up to six people (depending on the configuration you chose), sleek and modern—what’s not to love, right? The fact that it was just a computer-generated model was the most important thing.
Photo: YouTube/The Fully Charged Show
In an environment where any startup can simply churn out CGI models and then cash in on pre-orders and then do a disappearing act, anyone’s reluctance to believe in unicorns is understandable. The good news is that doesn’t seem to be the case with Lightship and their L1, which co-founders Toby Kraus and Ben Parker, both of whom have a background in Tesla engineering, describe as the RV equivalent of the Tesla Roadster.
The show fully loaded We stopped by the Lightship facility in Boulder, CO, which gives us our first real look at a completed, fully functional L1 unit. Perhaps an even bigger surprise is that it appears to retain the rendered model’s detail down to the T.
For now, the L1 appears to be on track for limited production, which the co-founders say will begin later this year. First customer deliveries will begin in early 2025.
Photo: YouTube/The Fully Charged Show
The Lightship L1 is a striking trailerable craft, and not just because it stands out from the crowd with its unique looks.
Built entirely around the idea of a streamlined trailer, it measures 27 feet (8.2 meters) long, 8.6 feet (2.6 meters) wide, and 6.9 feet (2.1 meters) high when traveling on the road. In camp, its self-telescoping walls lift it up to 10 feet (3 meters) high in less than a minute, providing the most incredible standing height and panoramic views of any trailer on the road.
Lightship says sleeping capacity is between 2 and 6 depending on configuration, but they haven’t gotten beyond just showing one possible layout. It’s the same on their website and the one shown on the completed demonstration unit, with sleeping for four: two on the sofa/bed at the front of the trailer and two more in the convertible dinette.
Photo: YouTube/The Fully Charged Show
The kitchen takes up most of the central area and is divided into two blocks, one on each side of the trailer. For a camper kitchen, it is very well equipped, with an induction hob, an oversized microwave, two refrigerator drawers, a drawer freezer, and a full-size drawer dishwasher. There is a second, smaller kitchen outside.
Only one kitchen unit features storage, which could be seen as a disadvantage given the lack of overhead storage. That last bit is non-negotiable due to the trailer’s ability to drop the roof over the lower half of the shell, but Lightship tries to compensate by adding storage options similar to luggage that goes up on rails. They can be packed inside the house, hung in camp, and removed when no longer needed.
The bathroom is located in the rear of the trailer and is also surprisingly spacious. It features a rain shower, a small sink with an invisible drain, and a toilet. It also offers the unique, if somewhat strange, option of opening it to the outside by simply opening the windows.
Photo: YouTube/The Fully Charged Show
Lightship will specify the L1 with two battery options: 40 kWh and 80 kWh, dubbed the L1 Essential and L1 Long-Range, respectively. The latter is the only one that will come with an e-axle that will help it tow itself, reducing its impact on EV towing range to zero and offering improved gas mileage at a standard ICE (internal combustion engine) truck.
Both models can be equipped with solar cells of up to 3 kW on the roof and awnings, which are flush-integrated into the body of the camper and not simply bolted on, as Lightship is keen to point out.
Thanks to its huge solar panel, the L1 is not only suitable for a week off the grid while everything runs on board, but it can also charge your EV while you’re camping. Once you get home, it can double as a backup power source for your home. It’s all about getting the most for your money!
Photo: Lightship
With a body made of automotive-grade composite, the L1 tips the scales at 7,500 pounds (3,402 kg) fully loaded. The trailer is built with a focus on sustainability that goes beyond its ability to run on solar power. Lightship highlights the durable flooring inside the trailer, produced with renewable energy, stain-resistant shelves made from ocean waste, and the custom automotive-grade fabric used on the sofas, made from 70 percent recycled polyester.
Based on this first look at a fully functional unit, it walks a fine line between striking aesthetics and greater applicability. The Essential model has a MRSP starting at $125,000, while the Long-Range starts at $151,500, but both get tax credits, so they can be purchased for less, though not by much.
If the Tesla Roadster comparison holds true, the Lightship will feature more affordable models as production ramps up.
