Lightship: Future of Travel and Adventure
An Interview with Ben Parker
Interview with Ben Parker, who is the Co-Founder & CPO of Lightship
Check Lightship out at: https://lightshiprv.com/
How did you come up with the design concept for Lightship?
It's form following function -- we knew that we needed to design the most aerodynamic, drag-efficient travel trailer possible to enable towing with an electric truck. A telescoping hard-sided design, whose dual modes we call Road Mode and Camp Mode, is the architecture we chose for maximum efficiency, and the industrial design choices we made (panoramic side windows; automotive surfacing and finishing on the exterior; etc.) followed from that important first architecture decision.
Why will this mode of travel revolutionize how people enjoy the outdoors?
AE.1 Cosmos Edition is a way to travel more sustainably over the open road, and we think that's awesome. It's also simply a more comfortable, high-performance way to go RVing. Going fully electric brings a host of benefits for any RVer who is underwhelmed by the state of the art in RVs: loud, high-maintenance generators, potentially dangerous propane heating/cooking systems, and weak 12V lead acid batteries required to run a traditional camper. We rethought what an RV interior is to be purpose-built for the use, and the result is a space that is unlike any other and is a joy to camp and hang out in.
What's your favorite part of the Lightship?
Lightship -- the product and our company -- is great because of the sum of its parts. I love how tightly integrated and deeply thought-out our product design and manufacturing system are, and I know that our excellent work is the result of an excellent group of people working in partnership together towards a broader mission to change and improve the nature of RV travel and road trips.
Why do you think society is so slow to adapt to electric modes of travel?
The shift towards electrification of the entire energy economy -- transport included -- is actually happening faster than perhaps any industrially-based revolution before it. EV sales are growing every year. We need to continue to move faster towards a plentiful electric future because future generations' quality of life depends on it.
If you could travel anywhere in the Lightship where would you go and adventure to?
One of my near term dreams is to tailgate a handful of the 2026 World Cup games happening across North America in my AE.1 Cosmos Edition alongside my partner, Symone. We want to turn our AE.1 Cosmos Edition into a pop-up restaurant / food truck on gameday in stadium parking lots and feed the people!
What makes your vehicle sustainable in both design and concept?
Lightship advances zero-emissions RVs that incorporate beautiful circular/recycled materials and are built to last for generations of use. We care about showing that it is possible to go on a zero-emissions road trip (truck + trailer) and have even more fun along the way.
