Overlook livable EVs – the plug-in hybrid powertrain has lengthy been the perfect speedy answer for camper vans and large motorhomes. What we’ve not beforehand thought-about, although, is that it might be an equally viable answer for tenting trailers. Evotrex makes that case with the PG5 journey trailer, a livable energy plant with a multi-source era system creating electrical energy for camp life and journey. Past its high-tech electrical underpinnings, it is a fantastically designed trailer that encourages campers to get probably the most out of their outdoorsy adventures.
A yr in the past, fellow Californian model Pebble Electrical opened up the preorder books on its Stream trailer. Just a few months later, the Silicon Valley-sculpted towable tech showcase turned the world’s first self-propelled production trailer, that includes an built-in electrical drive tuned to take a number of the weight and stress off the tow automobile’s hitch receiver for improved effectivity and optimized vary.
A Silicon Valley startup, Pebble should have had itself an excellent chuckle on the international RV institution, which had seen plenty of players working by way of years of concepts and prototypes in a failed effort to seize that very “world first” distinction. And the echoes of these chuckles definitely deepened when fellow US tech startup Lightship put its personal self-motorized panoramic travel trailer into manufacturing a few months later.
Evotrex
Now, the US market welcomes one more future competitor within the self-driven trailer area. A Sino-American firm with US operations within the LA space, Evotrex has a barely totally different imaginative and prescient of the autonomously powered journey trailer, taking it to the subsequent degree of high-tech off-grid nomadism.
In reality, the corporate billed its debut trailer the “world’s first power-generating RV trailer” throughout a sneak peek a couple months ago. We initially thought which may imply an unconventional model of energy era, maybe a hydrogen fuel cell stack or Wankel generator, however because it seems, it is merely a well-recognized gasoline generator.
What’s totally different about Evotrex’s generator is that it is totally embedded inside the trailer structure. Very like a full-on extended-range hybrid automobile or truck, the PG5 includes a chassis-mounted engine generator versus a standalone transportable or mounted generator saved away in an exterior cupboard.
Evotrex
Known as Horizon, the PG5’s high-efficiency generator develops electrical energy to cost the automotive-grade 43-kWh LFP battery built-in within the metal chassis. It routinely kicks on when the battery hits a low threshold to make sure easy, uninterrupted operation of onboard electrical tools and methods. To enhance total system effectivity, the generator additionally directs waste warmth towards warming the cabin in chilly climate.
We’re undecided we are able to acknowledge Evotrex’s particular “world first” declare since RVs – each trailers and motorhomes – have been carrying gasoline turbines for a lot longer than we have been masking them. However the PG5 may lay declare to an much more fascinating and distinguished distinction: world’s first range-boosting plug-in hybrid tenting trailer.
Evotrex
As a result of not solely does the PG5’s generated energy get put to make use of in working at-camp facilities like inside lighting, induction cooking and HVAC, it is also purposed towards powering the trailer wheels through a rear-axle electrical motor drive, offering substantive drive energy meant to chop efficient tow weight and enhance the tow automobile’s mileage. A high-precision sensor on the hitch screens pace and driving metrics to match the electrical drive output to the driving circumstances at hand.
At camp, the PG5 will be unhitched and maneuvered into tight areas remotely, utilizing the accompanying cellular app. This cuts out the effort and frustration of getting to exactly maneuver it through a big truck or SUV.
Whether or not towing through an electrical or ICE automobile, the PG5’s self-propulsion functionality will improve effectivity and prolong the mileage the automobile is ready to obtain per fill-up. The Evotrex can also be capable of extra immediately improve vary utilizing its bidirectional charging functionality. The bottom trailer has a 6.6-kW NEMA 14-50 120/240-V outlet for this goal, and consumers can improve to a 60-kW NACS “RangeBoost” fast-charging hookup.
Evotrex
Ought to an all-electric tow automobile run low, the driving force can pull over and cost immediately from the trailer with out even unhitching. Because of the engine-generator, this course of is not merely draining the PG5’s total battery reserves into the tow automobile however repurposing self-generated electrical energy into driving vary. The PG5’s power administration system helps drivers optimize reserves for driving to and from the campground and for amenity utilization at camp.
Evotrex says that its trailer is ready to produce as much as 270 kWh of useable power per cycle – presumably with a full cost of the LFP battery, a single tank of gasoline for the generator, and energy from the accessible 1.5-kW rooftop photo voltaic charging system. That is sufficient for over six full PG5 battery costs or almost two full costs of a 140-kWh Max battery pack on the pictured Rivian R1T pickup truck. Better of all, when the entire energy is depleted, you do not want an EV charging station or suitable electrical hookup however can merely replenish the Horizon gasoline tank at a close-by pump (or with the jerry cans you introduced alongside).
We clarified with Evotrex that the trailer-to-vehicle charging system solely works whereas the autos are parked, not whereas actively driving, so it will not be capable of routinely swoop in and enhance the tow automobile’s battery on the way in which to or from camp. Nonetheless, mix the trailer’s potential to generate its personal energy, lower its personal drag on the tow automobile with an built-in motor drive, and cost the tow automobile, and it turns into a correct extended-range electrical automobile (EREV).
Evotrex
The PG5’s vehicle-to-load capabilities will also be used to energy home equipment, instruments and electronics at camp. At dwelling, it may be wired as much as function a backup energy supply, full with built-in generator.
Not solely do present self-propelled trailers (the aforementioned Pebble and Lightship fashions) not embody an built-in generator system like Evotrex’s, however their focus is completely on all-electric design, with out a lot as an accessible transportable backup generator on the choices listing. Evotrex has constructed battery-boosting energy era into the core of its platform, giving it a rightful declare on the PG5 being a primary of its sort.
Past gasoline era, the PG5 additionally costs its battery through an elective 1.5-kW photo voltaic system put in on the rooftop and regen-braking functionality equipped by the onboard motor drive. Evotrex estimates as much as every week or extra of off-grid energy capability earlier than campers might want to transfer alongside and discover an electrical charger or gasoline pump. The onboard LFP battery pack will be charged immediately through NACS, 120- or 240-V outlet.
Evotrex
One factor we predict Evotrex has achieved higher than the ultramodern tech-trailer competitors is carving out a cutting-edge good energy and dwelling structure with out forgetting what tenting is all about. The PG5 makes use of an adaptable air suspension with auto-leveling, rugged dual-axle chassis and working gear, and 33-in all-terrain tires to supply succesful off-road efficiency. The physique shell boasts a no-rot, zero-wood insulated development crafted from a number of layers of fiberglass.
Regardless of how good and comfortable the PG5’s totally hard-sided 6.5-foot-high (198-cm) inside finally is, Evotrex encourages campers to spend extra time outdoors with a 43-sq ft (4-sq m) rear terrace that lowers on the push of a button. It may possibly additionally hold reducing all the way down to double as a load ramp for bicycles and different gear. The twin-tailgate design includes a lift-gate that serves as a roof over prime the deck.
Evotrex
The luxe cabin, in the meantime, sleeps as much as 4 folks on a hard and fast 80 x 60-in (203 x 152-cm) queen within the entrance main bedroom and second residential-size queen transformed from the al fresco rear eating lounge. Between these ends, the stomach of the trailer homes a roomy dry rest room with separated bathe and bathroom sections and a totally geared up galley with dual-hob induction cooktop, convection microwave, vary hood and standing fridge.
Evotrex
A sturdy good dwelling system includes a centralized management touchscreen on the outer wall of the galley, in addition to strategically positioned controllers for quick-access to issues like local weather management. For example, a dial subsequent to the grasp mattress makes it straightforward to right away modify the inside temperature with out having to get off the bed and even blindly fumble round for a smartphone. The good system additionally works with a cellular app for full distant management and monitoring.
Evotrex
Evotrex put the PG5 up for preorder in two separate trims as a part of its CES 2026 world premiere. The bottom Pioneer trim begins at US$119,990 and brings alongside the plug-in hybrid energy system with 43-kWh lithium battery, the dual-axle metal chassis, and the inside flooring plan described with good dwelling integration.
So as to add on options just like the trailer-to-EV charging, 1.5-kW photo voltaic system, and rear terrace entails upping one’s bid to $159,990 for the Atlas trim. Additionally included within the new Atlas mannequin is an influence awning and a main bedroom skylight with push-button transparent-to-opaque electrochromic switching.
Evotrex
Preorders require a totally refundable $100 deposit, and Evotrex plans to start Atlas manufacturing in late 2026 and Pioneer manufacturing in Q2 2027.
Supply: Evotrex
