- San Francisco-based Lightship is putting its revolutionary self-propelled electric RV trailer into production.
- The first 50 units are called the AE.1 Cosmos Edition.
- The trailer has a built-in battery and powertrain that helps reduce the strain on the tow vehicle.
Towing big trailers is still the Achilles' heel of modern electric vehicles. Even though battery-powered trucks like the Rivian R1T, Chevrolet Silverado EV and Tesla Cybertruck can happily tow 10,000 pounds or more, their driving range goes down the drain the moment you attach anything on that trailer hitch.
For work, this might not be a huge annoyance, but if you’re the kind of person who loves to tow an RV across the country, you’re in for the charging experience of a lifetime. As in, you’ll have to stop every 150 miles or so to replenish the truck’s battery for the next leg of the journey.
Luckily, there’s a potential solution for that, in the form of a self-propelled RV–but it’ll cost you. One such RV is the Lightship AE.1, an American-made camper trailer that’s finally entering production next year after being unveiled in 2023. You might recall it after its initial name, the Lightship L1, but for some reason, the company decided to change it to AE.1.
Whatever the name, you should know that the luxury RV has its own electric powertrain and an embedded battery that can store up to 80 kilowatt-hours of energy. This combo means the tow vehicle–electric or otherwise–won’t have to put so much effort into pulling the trailer because the electric motor of the RV will assist with the movement, thus increasing the efficiency of the vehicle at the front.
Furthermore, the Lightship AE.1 was designed to be as aerodynamic as possible, which helps on long trips at highway speeds. When on the road, the trailer is about the same height as a Ford F-150 Lightning, but when you get to the campsite, the roof rises to expand the interior and allow campers to stand and sit comfortably.
Gallery: Lightship AE.1 Cosmos Edition Self-Propelled Electric RV Trailer
Speaking of comfort, the first 50 units to roll off the assembly line are called AE.1 Cosmos. The limited-edition model has a full-solar roof, can sleep four adults and offers amenities like an automotive-grade HVAC system, a fully outfitted bathroom and a Galley Kitchen equipped with a dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, convection oven and induction cooktop.
“With the limited-edition Lightship AE.1 Cosmos, we’re delivering a dream travel experience for sustainable travelers, tech lovers and EV enthusiasts,” said Ben Parker, Lightship Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer. “Our mission is to bring RVs into the electric age with the AE.1. The Cosmos Edition is the first premium realization, and we have other trims to fit travelers’ needs coming quickly down the road.”
The limited-edition Lightship AE.1 Cosmos retails for $250,000, and the first deliveries are slated for the summer of next year. Three additional–and more affordable–versions called the Atmos, Panos and Terros will follow.
