- California-based Evotrex came out of stealth mode after securing $16 million to develop a self-sustaining RV trailer.
- The startup claims its first product is “the world’s first power-generating RV trailer.”
- While that claim may be a little over the top, the trailer itself looks pretty sweet.
A new player in the recreational vehicle market has emerged out of stealth mode and promises to deliver “the world’s first power-generating RV trailer.” After securing $16 million in Pre-A funding, California-based Evotrex is eyeing next year’s CES show in Las Vegas to reveal its first product, a rugged camping trailer that can allegedly keep the lights on without a grid connection.
That sounds interesting, but it’s worth noting that we’ve seen self-sustaining RV trailers before, with the Lightship AE.1 and Pebble Flow immediately coming to mind. Both have solar panels and batteries, so they can power appliances even without a grid connection, as long as there is juice in the battery.
5
Source: Evotrex
What makes Evotrex’s trailer a bit different, however, is the gas engine that’s used to generate electricity when the sun doesn’t shine. Generators are not something new in the RV industry, but the California startup claims its trailer is quieter and more efficient. It also claims it found a way to use the heat generated by the engine to keep the cabin warm, much like in a combustion car.
Marketing gimmicks aside, there’s still a lot we don’t know about the upcoming adventure-oriented trailer. There are no specs and no shots of the interior. From the handful of computer-generated images released by Evotrex, the four-wheeled camper looks pretty rugged, with chunky tires, a set of solar panels on the roof and a full-width rear door that swings up to allow easy access to a rear deck.
What’s more, the people behind the project are well-versed in the technology and automotive industries. Alex Xiao, the founder and chief executive officer, spent over a decade growing Anker into one of the world’s top mobile charging brands. Bruce Yang, co-founder and chief technology officer, was the vice president of Geely’s Technology Center before joining Evotrex.
The company claims its trailer has an advanced energy management system that can keep onboard appliances running efficiently pretty much anywhere. “Whether you’re in the desert or deep in the mountains, being off the grid shouldn’t be uncomfortable,” the startup’s CEO said.
Most likely, there’s a battery storage system tucked away somewhere, which can be charged by the solar panels and can power interior lights and appliances. We’ll know more about the startup’s electrified RV trailer early next year, though, when it debuts at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. According to TechCrunch, the company aims to ship the first units by the end of next year, with the main production being handled in China, while final assembly will be in California.
