Lightship, an American-made all-electric RV manufacturer, is scaling up to meet demand, announcing a major expansion of its Colorado-based manufacturing facility alongside the launch of a new customization offering, signaling the next phase of growth and reinforcing its commitment to domestic manufacturing.
The company will expand its existing 32,000-square-foot facility by approximately 44,000 square feet, bringing its total manufacturing footprint to roughly 76,000 square feet. Construction is already underway, with operations in the expanded space expected to begin this summer.
The expansion will more than quadruple Lightship’s existing production capacity by the end of 2026 and support new local manufacturing jobs as production scales.
“This expansion is a defining moment for Lightship,” said Toby Kraus, CEO and co-founder of Lightship. “At a time when many companies in this category are outsourcing their production and supply chain overseas, we’re doubling down on our commitment to American manufacturing, accelerating innovation and creating high-skill jobs in a region emerging as a hub for next-generation mobility.”
Lightship’s manufacturing approach is anchored in domestic sourcing and close supplier collaboration. Today, 80% of the component value of the Lightship AE.1 is sourced within the United States, enabling tighter quality control, faster product iteration and greater insulation from global supply chain volatility, Lightship said.
The expanded facility will further deepen that advantage by increasing vertical integration, while expanding service and R&D capabilities to support future product development.
Alongside its manufacturing expansion, Lightship is introducing a streamlined configuration for the AE.1, with an adjusted starting price of $157,500. The new approach centers on a single, configurable model, simplifying the lineup for customers.
The 77 kWh battery, roughly sixty times the size of an average trailer battery and previously available only on the $184,000 top trim, is now standard across all AE.1 vehicles.
“More than 90% of our customers have chosen the 77 kWh battery. This new lineup makes this popular feature more accessible. We are also adding options to give customers the flexibility to tailor the product for home backup, extended travel, short-term rental use and full-time living,” said Ben Parker, co-founder and chief product officer of Lightship. “Because we are a direct-to-consumer brand that builds and sources in the U.S., we can incorporate real-world feedback into product improvements on a much shorter cycle.”
As Lightship enters its next phase of growth and production scale, the company has also appointed Tom vonReichbauer to its board of directors. VonReichbauer brings more than two decades of experience scaling complex, design-driven hardware and technology companies, including leadership roles at Tesla, Nest, Sunrun, Google and ICON.
