The $50 billion RV industry is finally joining the EV ecosystem. Traditional companies like Winnebago and newcomers like Lightship and Pebble are not only electrifying their systems, but also changing the vehicle model itself.
As more Americans switch to electric cars, the trailer industry must evolve because towing a trailer quickly drains the battery. Battery power consumption can make towing an RV long distances with an electric vehicle prohibitive.
California-based startup Pebble Mobility has invented a self-driving, self-propelled, remote-controlled trailer. The 25-foot vehicle offers space for four people and has its own electric motor. It powers itself, saving energy needed by the car pulling it.
“We have a generous EV battery on board and an integrated solar system above the roof of the caravan – so we use renewable energy from the sun and power the entire vehicle,” said Bingrui Yang, CEO of Pebble.
Yang, an Apple graduate who helped build the iPhone, says he uses that knowledge to improve the RV experience.
“We’ve brought an iPhone-like experience to the RV and automated the most difficult parts like hitching, parking, towing and setting up camp, so everyone can easily access all the freedom RVing has to offer, without any hassle. ” he said.
With the Pebble app, the user can maneuver the trailer independently, which is helpful in tight spaces. This high-tech space is the focus of investors like UpHonest Capital, which is seeing a generational shift in RV use from baby boomers to millennials.
“This group of consumers is very different from baby boomers, they are more tech-savvy. They’re tech-savvy, they want a better experience, they want a better toy experience. So they have completely different demands than the previous generation,” he told Ellen Ma, managing director at UpHonest Capital.
In addition to UpHonest, Pebble is supported by Lightspeed and Vision Plus. To date, $13.6 million in funding has been raised.
The price of the trailer starts at $109,000 with the self-propelled engine. Potential tax credits could reduce this. The engine version starts at $125,000, which is comparable to other RVs. Yang said that as the company continues to grow, they will release more products at different prices to meet consumers’ needs.
With solar and battery power, Pebble makers say they can live off the grid for seven days without the need for propane or a generator. The kitchen appliances, lights, air conditioning and everything else are fully electric. Pebble wants to deliver the first models in 2024.
Lisa Rizzolo, senior climate producer at CNBC, contributed to this article.