Solar Camper Created By Ex-Tesla Engineer Can Charge EVs On The Go

While we all crave spending time in the great outdoors, traveling off the beaten track may not be the best idea for drivers of electric vehicles (EVs), who need to find power sources to juice up their cars while on the go.

Similar to a teardrop camper that doubles up as a portable charger, a new travel trailer has emerged that claims to solve this problem. Dubbed the L1, the trailer was recently unveiled by Lightship, a company set up by Ben Parker, an ex-engineer at Tesla.

Unlike other campers on the market, the L1 boasts its very own powertrain, allowing it to move by itself without draining the battery of the EV that’s towing it. Backed by an 80-kWh battery pack and solar panels that produce up to 3 kW of energy, the 27-foot-long trailer can last for miles.

In fact, the additional power generated by the solar panels can be used to charge the main EV when a charging outlet isn’t available. This feature was thought of when Parker went on a 6,000-mile road trip during the pandemic and realized current designs were insufficient.

Additionally, the trailer’s aerodynamic designs help it reduce drag while on the road. When parked, it can be turned into ‘Camp Mode’, in which the roof rises up to 10 feet to create more space within the interior and give campers a stunning view of panoramic windows.

According to the company, the camper will be available to fit six adults and come fully equipped with standard appliances that can run for up to a week on the trailer’s battery. It’s expected to retail for a starting price of US$125,000 with production set to begin in late 2024.

Those ready to get on the road and head outdoors can reserve the trailer here. 

[via Robb Report and Electrive, images via Lightship]