I've always been drawn to small, ultra-efficient living, so I was thrilled to see numerous examples of eco-friendly tiny homes this week. at CES 2025. There were electric vehicles on wheels, trailers designed for camping, and self-contained living pods ready for delivery. I want each of them to create a little eco-village somewhere, preferably within walking distance of a bakery, cafe and Thai food.
While none of them are cheap, some don't really live up to my expectations compared to the market as a whole. And the feature set represents some of the best sustainability features available today: solar power, wastewater recycling, atmospheric water production and top-notch insulation. Plus they are all very beautiful.
The camping/recreational focus of these models is strong, but the fact that most won't require a permit could help solve a small aspect of the housing crisis, especially as more cities loosen restrictions on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). One of these can easily be installed in a backyard or driveway as a studio apartment for the college student, aging parent, and happily single people. I have some plans. After CES. And a long sleep.
Haus.me microhouse Pro
I'll get this out of the way: Haus.me Microhouse Pro was my favorite of them all. It's a ready-to-use 120 square foot pod that can be installed on any flat surface – grass, concrete, sand, dirt, cinder blocks, etc. If it's flat, it'll do. It can suck water out of the air (and I was assured that this also applies to low humidity areas). It plugs into a standard power strip so the power can come from the grid, solar, or whatever, and the built-in battery will last for four days without being connected to a power source.
The inside is chic and beautiful, making the most of every space. The queen-size Murphy bed folds out to reveal a table and two benches. It has a small refrigerator, microwave and sink in the kitchen, a full-size shower in the bathroom and a TV in the living room. The Pro model comes fully equipped, with Siri Homepod voice control, beautiful dishes, linens, and includes the aforementioned battery. This model is designed for Airbnbs and rentals and costs just under $90,000. The Lite cuts the price by thirty thousand because it lacks the battery, dishes, and some other features and is intended for personal use. All micro-house models are already available for order.
AC Future Ai-THd
The thinnest unit I've seen was from AC Future. AC Future Ai-THd – a full-size electric vehicle on wheels, exhibited at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This is one of three models that the company will release. There is also the Ai-THt, a trailer version, and the Ai-THu, which, like the microhouse, is a delivery unit. The last one is the cheapest of the three models and is the one that intrigues me the most. All three are based on the same convertible design (TH stands for convertible home) that expands in three directions, from 120 square feet to a 400 square foot one-bedroom apartment.
Each model will be custom built and the technology available is impressive. The solar panels will generate 25 kWh of electricity per day, as well as produce up to 15 gallons of atmospheric water per day. There's a full-size refrigerator, washer/dryer, dishwasher, walk-in shower, and, starting in 2025, a whole-home AI assistant called Futura that will manage things on your behalf. Pre-orders are open at CES and AC Future plans to begin production as soon as madness CES is behind them.
RollAway
I only needed to look inside RollAwaybut my colleague Jessica Condit had to thoroughly inspect an electric RV rental. It combines the luxury of an upscale hotel, from luxurious linens to Malin+Goetz bath amenities. The room has a fold-out double bed, two-burner stove, shower, panoramic roof and projector. The RV itself has a range of over 270 miles and fast charging capabilities. Sustainable technologies include rooftop solar panels, waterless toilets and low-waste water systems. This should allow for some off-grid travel, but RollAway is also compatible with standard connections to RV sites.
To complement the hotel's ambiance, a 24-hour concierge is on hand to help plan your trip, give you directions, suggest side quests, and keep your space outfitted while you're on the road. RollAway has just started booking travel and is almost fully booked for 2025. Reservations cost about $400 per night and are currently only available in the San Francisco Bay Area, but more cities are coming soon.
Pebble stream
My colleague Sam Rutherford saw the prototype Pebble stream Electric car trailer on last year's CES (and his pictures are always much better than mine). I inspected the production model that the company presented at this year's show. The differences are small but significant. Essentially, Pebble asked potential customers to look at the prototype and tell them what they should change. One of the directives was “more windows,” so a skylight and a large window in the rear were added. Access to cabinets has now become easier. And the overall shape is now more aerodynamic, which should make trailer towing even easier.
Ease of pulling was already one of the advantages of Flow. A 24-foot trailer can be equipped (for a higher price) with a dual-motor transmission that helps it move by reducing drag on the tow vehicle. This update also includes a remote control option that allows you to park and attach the trailer via the app. Again, there's a double Murphy bed that doubles as a work space, and the dinette table folds down to accommodate two more berths. There is a fully equipped kitchen and shower/bathtub with glass doors that change color from frosted to clear at the touch of a button. There is a 45 kWh battery and a 1.1 kW solar panel. Pricing starts at $109,500 and rises to $135,500 with engine upgrades. The first deliveries should take place in the spring of this year.
Mayak AE.1 Space
Fun fact: Lightship is the only company on this list that is not exclusively California-based. California And The Colorado company makes the AE.1 Cosmos, another all-electric solar trailer that also has motor assist. In addition to the engine, the Cosmos also lowers itself four feet when in “road mode” to reduce drag. Inside there is a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, convection oven and induction hob. Two sleeping areas can accommodate up to four people, and both convert into living areas (dining area and daybed/sofa). Everything is powered by a 1.8 kWh solar panel and battery storage.
Lightship installed “Cosmos” in a parking lot near the convention center. The space was decorated with a pebble gravel floor with shrubby desert plants and a starry night backdrop that obscured the convention center itself. If I squinted, I could imagine that I was somewhere in the desert and everything I needed was right there. It was a little frustrating to leave it and go back to the chaos that is CES. But now the saddest part: only 50 copies will be produced. Each will be produced at the company's plant in Broomfield, Colorado, and retail for $250,000 each, with deliveries beginning this summer.