Detroit-based startup Grounded has launched the world’s first fully customizable smart electric RV.
The company will begin delivery of its G1s next month. Consumers will have the option of using a monthly subscription model, an annual lease, or a direct purchase.
The G1 model was developed in response to growing demand for spending time in nature and the outdoors at a time when infrastructure development begins to support outdoor recreation with electric vehicles.
“The Ground G1 gives people the freedom and self-reliance to live, work, and explore anywhere, sustainably integrated with nature,” says Sam Shapiro, CEO of Grounded CEO. “I started Grounded to redefine what’s possible in an industry rife with offerings that are both dated and out-of-reach.
The G1 features a new assembly system that allows the company to manufacture customized designs at scale, and its library of components enables a near-infinite amount of layouts. Fully integrated electronics, which can be managed through the Grounded+ app, provide a smart RV experience, giving a detailed view of how much energy each on-board appliance is using and the ability to remotely control all aspects of the vehicle and living space.
Built-in solar power appliances augment the powertrain charge.
“Our monthly subscription model, priced at less than the median cost of rent across the U.S., brings flexibility to those who aren’t looking to commit to a full vehicle purchase,” Shapiro says. “The advent of G1 marks an important step in the future of the RV industry.”
The G1 is built on Ford’s E-Transit platform. The current generation of the chassis has a published range of 108 miles. Grounded will begin manufacturing its G2 edition, which has a range of 250 miles, in July 2023.
Both the powertrain and the living systems of the G1 are fully powered by electricity and aided in part by its 650-watt solar capacity.
The G1 modular interior design allows users to create their own space without the cost and wait time of bespoke builds. Grounded proprietary software connects all of the electronics used, allowing RVers to view usage patterns, control surroundings, and diagnose potential issues. The G1’s environmental impact extends to using sustainably-sourced Baltic Birch throughout the vehicle, along with aluminum for the metal’s recyclability.
Grounded was founded in 2022 by a group of ex-Tesla and SpaceX engineers. The company is headquartered in Ford’s Newlab building in Detroit’s Corktown.
