Alert Bloomberg Covers LightShip and Me Too

[turbopilot]

Several months ago I had a long interview with Kyle Stock, a journalist at Bloomberg News. He was writing a story about the new breed of electric RV's. The story just came out this morning. Some technical errors but overall fair coverage.

PDF of the story attached.

 

[Holdmybeer]

Their problem will be this: If I can swing $250,000 for an RV which is kinda like an Airstream only Airstream has been around for 75 years and comes with a proven track record, gas mileage is probably not an issue nor am I likely that into off grid camping. There will be a niche market, but comparing it with an Airstream is apples and oranges. They'll sell a few, just like Tesla sold a few Cybertrucks, but I doubt people will be clamoring for an RV that's kinda like an Airstream only costs more and has about 10,000 more failure points, including that in about 10 years you'll probably need to replace that $40,000 battery. I could be wrong, we shall see.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

I agree that this is in the expensive trailer category.
I wouldn’t compare it to the Cybertruck but the Model X. Has some cool features but also some complications.
Agree that time will tell.
If we sell our coach we would go to a travel trailer and Airstream has been our backup plan to the coach. But now we will consider this Lightship as an option. I like the concept of automotive design in some components, the batteries keep improving and getting cheaper over time, and the simplicity of some parts.
Generally electric drive trains have shown themselves to be reliable and software can be updated as logic improves.

 

[turbopilot]

I agree that this is in the expensive trailer category.
I wouldn’t compare it to the Cybertruck but the Model X. Has some cool features but also some complications.
Agree that time will tell.
If we sell our coach we would go to a travel trailer and Airstream has been our backup plan to the coach. But now we will consider this Lightship as an option. I like the concept of automotive design in some components, the batteries keep improving and getting cheaper over time, and the simplicity of some parts.
Generally electric drive trains have shown themselves to be reliable and software can be updated as logic improves.

New to the world products come with risk. But let's make sure the facts are right. The previous poster (@Holdmybeer) premised some conclusions on erroneous facts.

The Founders edition of the LightShip is the Cosmos. It is a special edition LightShip with only 12 being produced. The purchase price of $250,000 includes all options (and then some) not included in the base models and some other "incentives" not publicly shared but are known to the purchasers when making a deposit.

The only Lightships available to order today are the Atmos (base price $184,000) and the Panos (base price $151,000). The lowest trim Terros (base price $125,000) will not be available until 2027.

As to the cost of the LFP batteries, the current market price for LFP battery packs is around $80/ kWh and falling fast. The LightShip has two LFP batteries totaling 77 kWh (74 kWh useable). At current market prices a 77 kWh battery pack should come in around $7,000.

 

[Holdmybeer]

Gemini puts the current cost to replace a 77 kwh ev battery at between $10 and $20k. In 10 years it will likely cost between $30 and $40k. Meantime as for getting it right, I'd want to see a real world road test ( not a glorified infomercial) with an ordinary tow vehicle getting the same mpg as it would without a tow. I'm very skeptical of that claim. Anxious to see how anyone could utilize a wdh on that setup as well. I don't think it can be done.