The American company Lightship presents its L1, a surprising solar caravan designed for electric cars. Equipped with its own battery and motors, it can power the vehicle and propel itself to reduce its impact on the car’s range. It is announced alongside the Airstream caravan concept designed in collaboration with Porsche.
If the electric car industry develops at high speed and sales continue to accelerate, range remains a source of concern. Is it possible that lovers of open spaces travel in nature without fear of spoiling yourself ? Well, the latter can be calm, thanks to the development of new solutions.
Lightship: an autonomous caravan
Among them, the one designed by the American company Lightship, founded in 2020 by Ben Parker and Toby Kraus, two former Tesla employees who worked on the Model S and Model 3. The company, in fact, has just lifted the veil on a unprecedented caravan of a new type, soberly christened L1. It can accommodate up to six people on board, under a height of 3.05 meters.
However, she is also capable oflower its roof until it reaches 2.10 meters high in order to align with the dimensions of the average pickup trucks on the market. Thus, the caravan is as aerodynamic as possible, thus limiting the impact on the consumption of the vehicle that tows it. But that’s not all, because the trailer is also covered with solar panels.
what to generate power up to 3kW as the site explains electric. In total, 80 kWh of electricity can be stored in the batteries that equip this caravan, whose supplier has not been specified. But that’s still not all. Because it also has its own engines whose potency is unknown. So you can propel yourself and you are not just a dead weight for the car.
As the company’s website specifies, the Lightship L1 is capable ofdirectly drive an electric car. If nothing is indicated, it will probably have to support two-way charging, as is the case with the MG 5, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and other Kia EV6s. But the caravan is not the only one on the market that offers such functionality, since it is also the case with the Campworks NS-1 presented last September.
All the necessary comfort
Lightship-designed caravan can also power a housea bit like some cars, including the Volvo EX90 thanks to the V2H charging (vehicle to home). Thus, it will be possible to charge L1 at off-peak hours and then use the energy stored in the latter at peak hours, in order to reduce the electricity bill. This solution also makes it possible to reduce stress on the electrical network, when it is very busy.
Depending on the company, it is possible live aboard the caravan for seven days no need to recharge. Enough to venture into remote places without fear, especially since it offers true comfort and many benefits for its occupants. In fact, it is endowed witha small kitchen with sink, hob and oven as well as plenty of storage space.
It is also equipped with a small functional bathroom and toilet. The living space can be transformed from a living room to chat and play with friends to a large bed. All the materials used for the interior of the caravan are durable and resistant. then the cloth is made with 70% recycled polyester while the countertop is designed to resist stains.
All this is very beautiful and already makes us very excited. But we’ll have to deal with a very high price, shown at $125,000, while it is already possible to order a copy of the Lightship L1. He then stands in front of Airstream, which recently unveiled an electric caravan concept equipped with two engines and delivering 242 horsepower, the Airstream eStream Concept.
A promising concept signed Airstream
The company has also partnered with Porsche to introduce another concept, known as the Airstream FA Porsche Concept Study. This small caravan, 5 meters long, can accommodate two passengers on board. As for the Lightship, it offers all the necessary comfort to the occupants.
In particular, they will be able to take advantagea living room that can be transformed into a double bed as well as a small kitchen. This is equipped with a hot plate with two hearths and a small sink. On the other hand, the brand’s website does not specify whether the vehicle is equipped with a shower and toilets, although nothing seems to indicate this in the photos visible online.
Equipped with a single axle, this Airstream-designed camper has a suspension that allows the assembly to be lowered to fit most garages. The design has also been worked on to offer optimal aerodynamics while the weight has been reduced thanks to the use of carbon fiber. However, no figures have yet been released.
We will still have to wait before we find out more about this caravan, which could very well be offered to customers one day. A few months ago, Porsche had already lifted the veil on an amazing tent designed to be installed on the roof of its models, from the 911 to the Cayenne, passing of course through the Taycan. It remains to be seen if it will be compatible with the brand’s future electric SUV.
Our colleagues from Numerama launch Watt Else, their newsletter dedicated to the mobility of the future. Sign up here to make sure you get the first issue!