This Dazzling New Aero-Electric Travel Trailer Looks Like an Airstream from the Future

But thanks to its innovation and price point, it’s aiming to compete with the iconic American RV brand sooner rather than later.

A top-down view of a vehicle with solar panels installed on its roof, parked on dry, patchy grass. The front of the vehicle is visible, featuring a white section with two star-shaped symbols. The solar panels are dark blue and cover most of the roof area.

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published August 13, 2025

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Updated August 13, 2025

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Since its birth in 2020, the biggest splashes that Lightship, “America’s first all-electric RV company,” made bookended 2024.

The brand announced a $34 million round of Series B fundraising in January and unveiled what it calls the world’s first aero-electric travel trailer, the AE.1 Cosmos Edition in December.

A sleek, modern black camper trailer with large tinted windows, parked on grassy terrain near rocky formations during sunset. The trailer has a streamlined, futuristic design with smooth surfaces and minimal detailing. — The Panos is available in two colors: the nearly blacked-out GraniteBraun (above) and the black-and-mint SnowLine you’ll see lower down on this page.

This week, the Colorado-based startup founded by a pair of Tesla alums is following up all that sizzle with some steak.

Not only did it announce the beginning of production on the sold-out Cosmos, but it also revealed two more affordable spin-off models, the AE.1 Atmos and AE.1 Panos.

Airstream 2.0?

While all three Lightship travel trailers boast jaw-dropping innovations and stunning looks, it’s this last one that I find most intriguing for one specific reason.

With its starting price point of $151,000, the Panos is actually more affordable than the highest-end Airstreams.

Lightship says its TrekDrive propulsion technology can double the range of an EV or the miles per gallon of a gas-powered tow vehicle.

That makes it a compelling alternative to offerings from the 94-year-old brand, whose parent company, Thor Industries, participated in the aforementioned funding round.

Why would Thor do so? Diversification. Considering it owns 15 different RV brands, it’s not exactly Airstream-allegiant.

Taking a closer look at some of its standout features, I can see a lot of appeal for forward-thinking customers.

1. Streamlined speed

Like all Lightship offerings, the Panos is engineered for aero efficiency. Toward that end, the entire upper section telescopes down into the lower section during transport.

Meanwhile, an integrated battery powers TrekDrive, intelligent propulsion technology that responds to uphill climbs, highway merges and steep descents via a two-way force-sensing hitch that eases the towing process.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Lightship says TrekDrive can double the range of an EV or the miles per gallon of a gas-powered tow vehicle.

2. Solar power

A top-down view of a sleek, rectangular vehicle or trailer with a large array of solar panels covering most of its roof. Attached to the side is a rectangular awning extended over dry, patchy ground with sparse grass. The vehicle has a modern, streamlined design with a light-colored front section featuring a small emblem.

Augmenting the 44kWh battery is 840W of integrated solar roof panels, an incredibly smart and slick way to keep the juice flowing, assuming the sun is out.

3. Auto awning

Side view of a camper van with an extended black awning, an open door revealing a red cushioned interior bench, and a fold-out step. Next to the van is a gray camping chair and a table with a coffee pot and cups, set against a rocky outdoor landscape.

Available as an option, the motorized awning is one of many impressive powered elements.

While that particular one is perhaps more of a frill, the Panos also packs essential features such as a dual-burner induction stove, refrigerator/freezer combo and a microwave/convection oven.

There’s also AirRight climate control, boasting 20,000 BTUs of air conditioning, 16,000 BTUS of heat and 115 gallons of water, plus a bathroom with a dedicated shower space.

4. Drop-down bedding

A compact, elevated sleeping pod with a transparent front panel is suspended inside a camper or RV. It is accessed by a small black ladder and positioned above a seating area with a white table and red cushioned benches with a speckled pattern. Large windows surround the space, allowing natural light and views of a rocky outdoor landscape.

While the main Panos sleeping space is a fixed queen (see below), the RV also boasts this twin bed, which lowers down from the ceiling at the touch of a button.

The brand lists the overall sleeping capacity as “up to 4,” with the addition of a third bed optional.

5. Bathed in light

Interior of a modern, compact living space with a U-shaped blue cushioned bench surrounding a white rectangular table. The space features multiple large windows with white blinds, a light-colored countertop with built-in cabinets and mesh storage baskets secured with red straps, and a single chair with a blue cushion and a grid-patterned backrest. The ceiling has recessed lighting and skylights, creating a bright and airy atmosphere.

As compact and space-efficient as the 6,700-pound Panos is — the interior dimensions are 22 feet, 7 inches by 7 feet, 4 inches — Lightship makes it feel bigger with a touch that is true to its name.

The RV boasts 10 panoramic windows (and 10 blackout shades), including 4 windows that open, reminding you the whole point of this thing is explore what’s out there.

6. Nosh nook

A modern seating area with blue upholstered bench seats arranged in an L-shape around a white rectangular table. The space has large windows with a view of mountains outside, and the interior features clean white walls with black accents.

As futuristic as many of its qualities are, some Panos features are reliable classics, including this convertible dinette table.

Meanwhile, the interior design of these renderings reminds me vaguely of Saved by the Bell’s diner, The M ax — which I suppose is a reliable classic of its own.

Availability and pricing

Lightship says customer deliveries of the AE.1 Panos will begin late next year at a starting price of $151,000.

A modern, sleek camper trailer with a two-tone design featuring a light green lower section and a dark, tinted upper section with large windows. It has a streamlined, boxy shape with rounded edges, supported by four stabilizing legs and two visible wheels. The camper is set on dry grass with large, rugged rock formations in the background. The word "LIGHTSHIP" is subtly visible on the side.

Lightship AE.1 Panos

Starts at $151,000

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.