Inside the futuristic 27-ft-long caravan that EXPANDS to sleep six – and it’s made by former Tesla employees
FORMER Tesla employees are transferring their talents to the mobile home market and have designed a futuristic 27-foot-long caravan.
Elon Musk‘s ex-protégés have teamed up to create the ultimate glamping experience that adds a dose of luxury to adventure holidays.
Former Tesla battery engineer Ben Parker and ex-senior manager Toby Kraus co-founded the San-Fransisco-based firm, Lightship.
They claim to be the US‘ first all-electric recreational vehicle company and want to redefine the motorhome market with modern solutions.
Lightship wants to get rid of “smelly, noisy, gas or propane generators” that spoil the serenity of travelling through nature.
The ex-Tesla employees have now used their priceless knowledge to produce a contemporary caravan that prioritises comfort and clean energy.
The portable mini home, dubbed the Lightship L1, can incredibly expand to sleep up to six people for an unrivalled road trip.
The 6ft 9in masterpiece already promises to outshine other trailers – but truly towers over them when it soars to 10ft in camper mode.
Explorers can raise the roof of the Lightship L1 to extend the ceiling, ensuring there is plenty of space to roam around in.
Multiple windows dotted around the caravan invite in a constant flood of natural light, as well as allowing campers to admire panoramic views of the outdoors.
You can even catch a glimpse of the local wildlife while showering in the “relaxing spa bathroom” with high ceilings and porcelain floors.
There is also a convertible lounge space that doubles as two beds, meaning it is the perfect place to host a gathering while on tour.
Savvy storage solutions make packing for long trips a breeze, allowing people to stow their belongings away without taking up space.
Travel lovers can rustle up their meals without missing out on any action thanks to the unique Camp Kitchen that extends from the side.
With an induction cooktop and collapsible sink, you can chop, dice and prepare while relishing in your extraordinary surroundings.
The indoor kitchen area also boasts large countertops made from ocean waste, a stove, an oven, a small refrigerator, smart appliances, and a dishwasher.
Campers have controls at their fingertips and can monitor the status of their caravan or dim the lights easily via a digital app.
To make outdoor trips even simpler, Lightship have adorned the roof and awnings with built-in solar panels that can provide up to 3kW of solar power.
The L1’s appearance takes inspiration from Tesla’s rigid designs and sports sharp features to make it three times more aerodynamic than traditional trailers.
With sharp front edges, a tapered rear, and telescoping hard-sided walls it promises to cut through the air while out on the open road, allowing it to easily be towed by a 300-mile range electric vehicle.
The motor home includes a self-propulsion system with an electric powertrain that has up to 80 kWh of onboard battery capacity.
Each aspect of the caravan has been “rigorously prototyped, validated and tested for durability” to ensure it is built to last.
Production of the Lightship L1 is expected to begin late next year and is set to hit the market at a starting price of $125,000 (£99,800).
The firm’s co-founder and president Toby Kraus gushed about his excitement for the release of their modern take on a motor home.
He said in a statement: “With 90 percent of the market comprising of towable RVs, we began by creating an all-electric travel trailer unlike any RV available today, and that is just the beginning.
“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.”
The creation is expected to rival Tesla’s £19,000 Space Camper add-on that can be attached to the fearsome Cybertruck to transform it into a mobile home.
It neatly slots into the track bed of the vehicle and extends upwards and outwards, allowing two people to squeeze inside and sleep on an inbuilt bed.
But it is less than half the size of the Lightship L1.