# S4E37 Troy Nergaard | Lightship – L1 Electric RV

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2023-09-29
- Length: 40m
- Episode: 37
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-09-29-s4e37-troy-nergaard-lightship-l1-electric-rv
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/Troy-Nergaard-lightship/

## Summary

Troy Nergaard, Head of Controls and Embedded Systems at Lightship, discusses the engineering behind the L1, an aerodynamic, battery-powered electric travel trailer designed to eliminate range anxiety for EV towing. He details the vehicle's telescoping canopy for drag reduction, its integrated solar and high-voltage power systems, and the software architecture that unifies disparate RV functions into a single interface. Nergaard also explains the decision to target the luxury market initially to manage manufacturing complexity and highlights the primary engineering challenge of balancing heavy battery and drivetrain mass with towing limits.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-09-29-s4e37-troy-nergaard-lightship-l1-electric-rv#t=0) Introduction and Guest Background
- [6:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-09-29-s4e37-troy-nergaard-lightship-l1-electric-rv#t=366) Lightship Origin and L1 Concept
- [14:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-09-29-s4e37-troy-nergaard-lightship-l1-electric-rv#t=860) L1 Mechanical and Aerodynamic Design
- [21:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-09-29-s4e37-troy-nergaard-lightship-l1-electric-rv#t=1272) Power Systems and Solar Integration
- [27:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-09-29-s4e37-troy-nergaard-lightship-l1-electric-rv#t=1638) Pricing Strategy and Manufacturing Approach
- [30:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-09-29-s4e37-troy-nergaard-lightship-l1-electric-rv#t=1827) Engineering Challenges and Future Roadmap

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Lightship (company)
- L1 (product)
- Tesla (company)
- Toby Rees (other)
- Ben (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Driving Towards Sustainability with Electric RVs: Insights from Ben Parker, Co-Founder at Lightship](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-03-14-driving-towards-sustainability-with-electric-rvs-insights-from-ben-parker-co-fou) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [39. The EV You’ll Never Have To Charge](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-10-12-39-the-ev-youll-never-have-to-charge) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [85. The Future of EVs: Hydrogen Hybrids and Plug & Play Platform](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-08-30-85-the-future-of-evs-hydrogen-hybrids-and-plug-play-platform) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Reinventing Sea Travel with Billy Thalheimer of REGENT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2023-01-05-reinventing-sea-travel-with-billy-thalheimer-of-regent) (Over the Air)
- [T-26-012 : Founders From The Show Floor - CES 2026](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2026-02-04-t-26-012-founders-from-the-show-floor-ces-2026) (TRADEOFFS)

## Citing this page

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