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At Munro & Associates, we’re always on the lookout for innovation that blends engineering precision with real-world adaptability. Grounded RV, a Detroit-based startup founded by former SpaceX engineer Sam Shapiro, is pioneering a new frontier in recreational vehicles—modular electric camper vans that are smarter, cleaner, and built for true customization. This new generation of electric RVs doesn’t just promise adventure—it delivers a thoughtfully engineered platform that redefines mobile living and working spaces for the EV age.
From Starlink to Smart RVs
Sam Shapiro’s journey from developing software for SpaceX’s Starlink satellites to crafting intelligent electric camper vans is an inspired one. Like many during the pandemic, he built a DIY camper out of a gas-powered Chevy van. But frequent maintenance issues, noise pollution, and reliance on fossil fuels led him to a powerful insight: the camper van experience could be radically improved with electric mobility. Thus, Grounded RV was born.
Launched two years ago, Grounded focuses on modular electric vehicle platforms—initially for camper vans and now expanding into mobile offices, clinics, and other work-focused solutions. Their designs fuse lean manufacturing principles, clean energy integration, and modern digital controls.
Inside the Grounded System: The Zevo Platform
Grounded builds its modular systems on the GM BrightDrop platform, specifically the Zevo 600 and Zevo 400 electric vans. These offer 24-foot and 20-foot lengths respectively, with an EPA-rated range of approximately 270 miles. At conservative driving speeds, real-world testing shows the range can exceed 300 miles—an ideal fit for park-to-park road tripping.
While the vans retain their original electric traction batteries (173 kWh), Grounded adds a separate modular house battery system, starting at 10 kWh and scalable in 5 kWh increments. These house batteries power onboard electronics and appliances, charged via:
- Up to 1000 watts of rooftop solar
- A dedicated shore power hookup
- The main traction battery via GM’s onboard inverter (max 300W)
This setup creates redundancy and off-grid flexibility—ideal for eco-conscious explorers and digital nomads alike.
Smart, Modular Design
At the heart of Grounded’s system is a Lego-like modular interior designed for flexibility. Customers can choose:
- Kitchen sizes and configurations
- Shower options (indoor/outdoor)
- Bed styles (fixed, convertible, or lift-away)
- Work surfaces and storage types
- Self-contained toilet options (dry flush, composting, or cartridge)
Each build uses an extruded aluminum grid system, assembled off-vehicle like a prefab structure. Plumbing, electrical, and insulation are pre-routed in this structure, which is then mounted into the van. This off-platform approach means Grounded could one day become vehicle-agnostic, offering their smart living systems across multiple base platforms.
This strategy is more than clever—it’s efficient. It mirrors principles from aerospace and lean manufacturing: modularity, rapid iteration, and system-level flexibility.
App Integration and Smart Controls
Unlike traditional RVs, Grounded’s campers are digitally integrated. Their proprietary mobile app allows users to:
- Monitor and control all appliances remotely
- View real-time power draw from each outlet
- Manage lighting, climate control, and battery systems
- Soon: monitor vehicle metrics like range, state of charge, and DTCs via GM’s APIs
This transforms the user experience into something closer to smart-home functionality, adding a tech-forward layer to RV life that modern users increasingly expect.
Build Quality and Flexibility
Though Grounded currently hand-builds vehicles in low volumes, its manufacturing approach borrows heavily from both aerospace and automotive best practices. The startup is intentionally iterative—shipping small batches, integrating feedback, and refining design modules with each build.
Materials, for instance, are chosen for aesthetics and ease of modification. Wood interior panels give a warm, cabin-like feel—popular among early adopters. Yet the company is already exploring alternative materials that are lighter and easier to clean for future generations (e.g., the upcoming G3).
Their modular systems—such as the “electrical utility box” and “water utility box”—are self-contained, plug-and-play units that can be moved depending on the configuration. This palletized component approach streamlines production and enhances serviceability, setting the groundwork for eventual upscaling.
Off-Grid Performance and Sustainability
Off-grid performance is where Grounded’s system truly shines. With a robust solar array, efficient power storage, and flexible recharging options, these vans can operate indefinitely in sunny conditions—especially when HVAC usage is low.
Key sustainability benefits include:
- Zero tailpipe emissions
- Quiet campsite operation (no idling engines)
- Minimal light and noise pollution
- Renewable charging through solar or shore power
These aren’t just cleaner RVs—they’re vehicles aligned with the ethos of outdoor stewardship.
Learning from Aerospace and Automotive
As Grounded scales, its team is applying lessons from SpaceX, Amazon Kuiper, and beyond. With aerospace-style station-based assembly and automotive supplier sourcing, the company walks a careful line between low-volume craftsmanship and scalable manufacturing.
Their engineers and technicians work closely, fostering a bottom-up innovation loop that refines the product on the floor—not just in CAD models. This reflects Munro’s own belief that great design is inseparable from great manufacturing.
At scale, Grounded envisions building one van per day—a modest goal by automotive standards, but ambitious in the context of high-end custom RVs. Rather than chasing volume at all costs, the company aims for repeatable modularity, streamlined assembly, and faster iteration.
The Modular Electric Camper Van: Top Takeaways
- Modularity isn’t just for factories: Grounded shows how modular thinking enhances customization, reduces downtime, and increases product flexibility.
- Platform-agnostic design unlocks scale: By decoupling the interior build from the base vehicle, Grounded could eventually service a wide range of chassis types—including future non-van mobility platforms.
- User-centered smart integration matters: Real-time app control of onboard systems adds value and differentiates the experience.
- Lean doesn’t mean low-tech: Combining aerospace rigor with RV simplicity allows Grounded to build smarter without ballooning costs.
- Electrification isn’t just for cities: Off-grid campers are a powerful use case for EV technology, offering real environmental benefits.
Final Thoughts
Grounded’s modular electric camper van isn’t just a novel product—it’s a window into the future of smart, sustainable, and scalable EV living. As electric powertrains become more common and consumer expectations rise, the demand for adaptable, intelligent platforms like this will only grow.
At Munro & Associates, we’ll be watching closely as Grounded scales up—and we invite you to do the same.
Team Up With Munro
For more detailed teardown reviews, check out our video walkthroughs at Munro Live and explore expert analysis and engineering insights on modular EV platforms at Munro & Associates.