Lightship AE.1 Cosmos Edition brings EV glamping at $250,000

• Lightship’s L1 electric travel trailer, unveiled in early 2023, is now called the AE.1
• The first version is the premium AE.1 Cosmos Edition
• The AE.1 draws minimal energy from the vehicle towing it, thanks to a built-in electric drive system

After previewing its self-propelled L1 electric travel trailer last year, Lightship, a startup that bills itself as the nation’s first electric RV manufacturer, has now revealed a more premium version that is ideal for glamping.

Lightship is now calling its travel trailer the AE.1, marking it as the first generation of the company’s “Aero-Electric” travel trailers. The first version of the AE.1 to go on sale is a special AE.1 Cosmos Edition, priced at $250,000 and limited to just 50 units worldwide.

The price is double the starting price Lightship announced for the L1 at its debut in early 2023, but premium details abound, such as a solar roof, a climate control system, a fully outfitted bathroom, and a kitchen complete with a dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, induction cooktop, and even an oven. The AE.1 Cosmos Edition sleeps four but future versions may offer more space.

Additional AE.1 models are planned, to be called Atmos, Panos, and Terros.

The Lightship AE.1 is aimed at owners of electric vehicles but can also benefit owners of gas and diesel vehicles. Towing with an EV is well-known to massively reduce range. Lightship’s solution is to install a battery and drive system in the trailer itself.

According to the company, the self-propulsion system, dubbed TrekDrive, means the trailer will draw almost zero energy from the vehicle towing it. In other words, an EV with a 300-mile range should still be able to cover 300 miles while towing the AE.1, assuming both are fully charged. It’s similar to the concept planned by rival electric travel trailer startup Pebble Flow.

Lightship hasn’t specified what towing capacity is required for the AE.1. At the reveal of the L1, Lightship said the trailer measures 27 feet long and has a gross vehicle weight of 8,300 pounds.

Production of Lightship’s electric travel trailers will be handled at a plant in Broomfield, Colorado, starting around mid-2025. Reservations can be made via the company’s website.