US startup offers 100-mile capable electric RV for $2,300 monthly
Oh, the freedom of an open road and your own kitchen and bed - all in one tidy package, taking you in comfort wherever the road goes. That dream turned many people into nomads and with the whole world adapting to electric cars, it’s just a question of time before we start seeing electric campervans and RVs.
While Winnebago may have been the first with its eRV2 electric RV, it will be the small US startup to actually put an electric RV into customers’ hands. Grounded RV from Detroit just unveiled its first, Ford e-Transit-based, electric camper called G1. And it’s on sale right now.
For a company only founded last year, bringing a vehicle to the market in such a short time is quite a feat. This isn’t just another startup though, Grounded RV is made up of former engineers from Tesla and SpaceX led by Sam Shapiro who was responsible for Starlink software. These guys are used to tight deadlines, impossible tasks, and long office hours.
The Grounded G1 is based on the Ford e-Transit and that’s where its only limitation comes from. The new electric RV has a range of 108 miles which in the world of RVs is simply not enough. Thankfully the onboard living quarters will make the frequent charging stops a non-issue. Drive for a couple of hours, stop to plug it in, put the kettle on, and do some work or watch a movie. Heck - you can even catch up on sleep or simply relax. Rinse and repeat.
The G1 being an electric RV is not its biggest secret. The assembly process is quite a neat trick as well. The modular system designed by the company allows for infinite layouts without the need for custom modifications - which translates to speed and low costs. Then there is the Grounded app which allows for full control of the RV - from lights to heating, checking on fuel and water levels, controlling charging, and full vehicle diagnostics. This is a fully connected RV future-proofed for years to come.
The biggest selling point though is its price. When it comes to RVs and campervans, affordability is an issue. While full-size RVs can go into millions, it’s not uncommon to see a small RV based on a commercial van with a price tag well into $200,000. Grounded G1 comes with two purchase options - you can buy it for $125,000 or subscribe for $2,300 per month. While that last figure is still quite a bit of money, it beats the competition hands down.
For the monthly payment, you are getting a queen-sized bed, kitchen with fridge and freezer, induction cooker and sink, toilet, shower, and plenty of storage. 650 W solar installation is in charge of keeping the lights on and provides juice for all the appliances. The company is fully aware of the G1 range limitations and is already working on the G2 version with 250 miles of range - to be available in July. Electric RV-ing here we go.
