Here's an interesting development in the EV world that has nothing to do with range anxiety: electric trucks are quietly morphing into rolling power stations. And according to Steven Rossi, CEO of EV accessories maker Worksport, that shift opens up some intriguing angles for investors tracking thematic ETFs.
Worksport just launched its SOLIS solar tonneau cover for the Rivian Automotive Inc. (RIVN) R1T pickup. Pair it with their portable COR battery system, and you've got an electric truck that doesn't just consume power—it generates and stores it. Sure, it's technically an accessory, but Rossi argues the timing reveals something bigger about how we're rethinking energy and transportation.
"The demand we're seeing so far has been exclusively structural," Rossi said. "The need for mobile truck-mounted green energy without exhaust, noise, fumes, or maintenance is 'always,' not just 'now.'"
Think about that for a moment. We're not talking about a gadget solving a temporary problem. This is about pickup trucks functioning as mobile energy assets that deliver power wherever it's needed, regardless of whether there's a grid connection nearby. And that concept lines up neatly with several investment themes already baked into the ETF universe.
The ETF Connection
Funds focused on clean energy, electrification, and battery technology already hold exposure that extends well beyond traditional automakers. They include solar hardware manufacturers, energy storage companies, and industrial suppliers that stand to benefit as vehicles take on these expanded energy roles.
The iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) and Invesco Solar ETF (TAN) provide exposure to solar-related technologies. Meanwhile, the Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (LIT) and Amplify Lithium & Battery Technology ETF (BATT) track companies involved in energy storage, which becomes increasingly critical when vehicles double as off-grid power sources.
Then there are broader electrification funds like the Global X Autonomous & Electric Vehicles ETF (DRIV), which already span multiple layers of the EV ecosystem—from components to enabling technologies.
Beyond Consumer Toys
What makes this particularly interesting is that Rossi sees the evolution extending far beyond weekend warriors who want to power their camping gear. Commercial fleets and industrial users are showing serious interest in mobile energy solutions that operate independently of the grid.
"Consumers and fleets have a real need for mobile power where they are, which isn't always where the grid is," he said.
That observation hints at something fundamental: vehicles are transitioning from pure transportation tools into distributed energy assets. As grid reliability concerns persist, Rossi expects electrification to increasingly emphasize mobile energy generation, not just electric drivetrains.
For investors, this dynamic could make distributed energy and energy-resilience themes more relevant within existing ETF structures, even if widespread adoption remains early stage.
"We firmly feel that modern fleets within North America (and other regions of the world) will shift towards electrification. Not electrification of the drive train; per se. However, the need for mobile energy without exhaust, fuel, or maintenance," noted Rossi. "Consumers and fleets have a real need for mobile power where they are, which isn't always where the grid is," he added.
What's Next
Worksport currently operates in the aftermarket space, but Rossi reports strong interest from major OEMs, suggesting potential integration down the road. He envisions future EV trucks combining off-grid plug-in power with passive solar battery charging, potentially delivering incremental range without depending on charging infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Rossi pointed to OEM partnerships, large fleet contracts, and major retail distribution as key adoption inflection points over the next 12 to 24 months. Advances in solar efficiency and battery density could significantly increase power output without requiring changes to vehicle form factors.
The upshot? EV innovation is increasingly blurring the line between transportation and energy infrastructure. Thematic ETFs may already offer indirect exposure to that transition, suggesting the EV investment narrative is expanding well beyond just building better cars. It's about reimagining what vehicles can do when they're not moving at all.
