Yahoo Lifestyle This New Solar-Powered Trailer Wants to Take You Off-Grid in Luxury
You’ll soon be able to buy Lightship’s EV-friendly pop-up trailer.
The Colorado-based camping company has just unveiled a new luxury travel trailer called AE.1. The vehicle is a production version of the company’s L1 concept from last year and was designed for much more than just short road trips.
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The most noteworthy aspect of the L1 was an electric powertrain that reduced stress on towing vehicles, especially those that are battery-powered. Thankfully, this feature has made it to the production model. The TrekDrive power system includes an integrated electric drive motor and a 77.0-kWh battery pack. Not only does the unit help propel the trailer forward when it is being towed, thus easing the load on the towing vehicle, but it also slows it down, making it easy for your convoy to brake. Lightship claims that the system delivers a near-zero range for an EV and less miles-per-gallon drain for a traditional ICE vehicle.
The AE.1’s battery feeds more than just the powertrain, though. The pack and the trailer’s integrated, full-roof solar panel array produce enough energy to allow for comfortable off-the-grid living. The company says that the system can keep all the vehicle’s many appliances, including its automotive-grade HVAC system, running without any of the noise produced by a generator or the “hazard” that comes with an onboard propane tank.
The trailer features a pop-up design and a smooth, aerodynamic shape that makes it easier to tow in “Road Mode.” It stretches 26.5 feet end to end and 8.5 feet at its widest point. These dimensions mean it has room to comfortably sleep up to four adults. When fully opened up, which is called “Camp” mode,” it has an interior height of 7.5 feet, large full-view windows, a three-point gallery with an induction cooktop, convection oven, and refrigerator, as well as a bathroom with a stand-up shower. There is also a switchback lounge and dinette, both of which can be converted to comfortable sleeping areas at the end of the day.
The first round of trailers, the fully-outfitted Cosmos Edition, are set to arrive next summer. Lightship plans to build just 50 examples of that version, each of which will cost $250,000. Those will be followed by three mass produced variants—the Atmos, Panos and Terros—with distinct feature sets will follow at a later date. They’ll be priced at $184,000, $151,000 and $125,000 respectively.
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