Grounded, an electric RV startup, said it will deliver its first electric RV motorhomes this year.
Grounded will begin delivering its first G1 motorhomes via a monthly subscription model, annual lease and direct purchase in April. The company developed the G1 in response to a growing demand for spending time in nature and the outdoors, the company said.
“The Grounded G1 gives people the freedom and self-reliance to live, work, and explore anywhere, sustainably integrated with nature,” Grounded CEO Sam Shapiro said. “I started Grounded to redefine what is possible in an industry rife with offerings that are both dated and out-of-reach.”
The G1 is built on Ford’s E-Transit platform. The current chassis generation has a published range of 108 miles. Grounded will begin manufacturing the G2, with a range of 250 miles, in July 2023.
The G1 powertrain and living systems are powered by electricity, and aided, in part, by 650-watt solar capacity.
A modular interior enables consumers to shape and define the space to meet individual needs without the cost and wait time of bespoke builds, the company said.
Grounded’s proprietary software connects all the electronics used, helping RVers to view usage patterns, control surroundings and diagnose potential issues, the company said.
“Imagine finishing up a cold hike and using your Grounded+ app to start your van and heat up the cabin before you get back,” Shapiro said. “The G1 is shaping a new future for connected electric RVs.”
The G1’s modular interior uses sustainably sourced baltic birch. Recyclable aluminum is also used in constructing the modular interior structure.
“We have worked to create something new that is inspired by Scandinavian simplicity and function,” Shapiro said. “Optional components include a queen-sized bed, kitchen with a convection oven, dry-flush toilet, seating
for anywhere from two to eight occupants, an outdoor shower and more.”
Grounded was founded in 2022 by former Tesla and SpaceX engineers. The company manufactures the G1 in Newlab’s Michigan Central Mobility Studio in Detroit.
“We have designed a new assembly system that allows us to manufacture customized designs at scale, and our library of components enables a near-infinite amount of layouts,” Shapiro said. “The advent of the G1 marks an important step in the future of the RV industry.”
Grounded is planning to manufacture an expanding towable 6.5-foot interior height RV with remote-controlled electronics and appliances that take 1,500 watts of solar to charge. The towable is expected to ship in early 2025.
