With a debut at SXSW in 2023, the then-named Lightship L1 is finally coming to market in 2025. It will be called the Lightship AE.1, with the first 50 units being top-spec Cosmos Edition camper trailers.
“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.”
Lightship Aero-Electric Camper Trailer
While Lightship has been taking reservations for a few years now, this month marks a milestone for the company. Reservations holders, and other interested parties, can put down a non-refundable deposit to be one of the first owners of a Lightship camper trailer, with deliveries starting next summer. Reservation holders who don’t want the Cosmos Edition can keep their place in line for future trim levels of the trailer.
What makes the Lightship camper trailer interesting is its collapsible, aerodynamic design and electric drivetrain. This combo should provide near-zero range loss for both gas and electric drivetrains, and extended range in its most powerful form.
Lightship’s proprietary TrekDrive system enables up to 300 miles of extended range. It combines a massive high-voltage battery system, an electric motor system, and a proprietary hitch. An integrated full-solar roof design also bolsters this fully electric system.
With plenty of power reserves for extended off-grid living the Lightship AE.1 camper trailer is a modern, spacious, and comfortable design. It sleeps four, offers heating and cooling, a full-featured bathroom, and a galley kitchen outfitted with amenities like a dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, convection oven, and induction cooktop.
Lightship AE.1 Cosmos Edition
The Lightship AE.1 Cosmos Edition comes standard with all the bells and whistles, and only 50 will be made. It comes in two limited-edition, exclusive interior/exterior color schemes, Timberline and DuskHorizon, and has premium finishes throughout.
As you might expect, this camper is fully loaded with accessories that are optional extras on more basic, entry-level versions of the trailer. These include a dishwasher, CargoCraft custom packing cubes and storage bins, a Wi-Fi-enabled sound system, a weight distribution hitch, and a custom EV charging cable. The Cosmos Edition also comes with the SwitchBack Lounge and a convertible dinette.
Furthering what we first saw with the Lightship L1 concept model are an auto-leveling system as well as an automated wastewater system.
Lightship AE.1 Pricing
While pricing on the Lightship AE.1 starts at $125,000 (before tax credits), the limited run of 50 Cosmos Edition that will be first off the production line will start at $250K. The Cosmos Edition is an all-in, fully loaded production version of the L1 Long Range that Lightship had announced at $151,500.
Reservations just opened for deliveries starting in the summer of 2025. Three additional trim levels of the AE.1 will roll out soon: Atmos, Panos, and Terros. Lightship will continue to take refundable reservations for the three future AE.1 trim levels while it sells through the 50 Cosmos Edition trailers.
The first production units have just this month rolled out of the Colorado factory. They will be making the show rounds in 2025, with a first stop at CES in Las Vegas in early January.
