Just three years ago, the Tesla Model X was the only electric car on the market that could tow.
Fast forward to now, at least three in five new electric cars can tow, covering a spectrum of towing capabilities.
So, with new electric SUVs and station wagons almost expected to be able to tow, what should you know about towing with an electric car? How is it different from towing with a petrol or diesel engine?
Here’s our guide to towing with an electric car to make your next trip with a load simple.
From 2023, three in five new electric cars will be able to tow, while electric cars today can tow 2,500 kg
Can EVs tow?
Last year Which car? Found surveyed 1,052 drivers and found that two in five believed an electric car was completely unable to tow a trailer or caravan.
As we’ve already discussed, electric vehicles can tow, but not all electric vehicles are certified for towing, as the same goes for fuel-engine cars.
Although electric vehicle towing is rapidly improving and electric cars can now tow heavy loads, they can’t quite match the fuel-powered cars with the highest towing capacity (3,500 kg).
The electric vehicles with the highest towing capacity currently on the market have a maximum weight of 2,500 kg.
Always make sure to check the maximum weight you can pull beforehand.
Does towing affect the range?
There is no doubt that towing has a negative effect on range.
Arval UK found last year that towing will reduce an electric car’s range by 23 to 31 percent compared to the actual figure.
This can increase to 50 percent when towing a heavier load.
The heavier weight reduces efficiency (more energy is required from the battery) and therefore the range, so you must take the shorter range into account when planning your trips.
And because towing also reduces the efficiency of regenerative braking, and it is recommended to disable regeneration, range is further compromised.
But it’s worth remembering that towing also reduces the fuel consumption of a petrol or diesel car: about 2 percent per 45 kg.
Towing with an EV is also much quieter than with a fuel car due to the lack of engine noise and noise-cancelling cabins that many EVs have. And of course there is also the advantage of no tailpipe emissions
The benefits of towing with an EV
Electric cars have essentially no gears, which means that towing an EV is a very smooth driving experience, and a lot easier than a manual car, even if the trailer or caravan is very heavy.
And electric cars are obviously better suited for towing than petrol or diesel cars, because they have instant torque at any speed.
Towing with an EV is also much quieter than with a fuel car due to the lack of engine noise and noise-cancelling cabins that many EVs have.
And of course there is also the advantage of no tailpipe emissions.
The disadvantages of towing with an EV
Due to the reduced range an EV experiences when towing, you will need to plan your trip accordingly and charge more often, which can be a disadvantage.
If an EV has regenerative braking, the system can be stressed by the heavy weight of a trailer. Therefore, it is recommended to disable regeneration.
Although the towing capacity of electric vehicles is improving, it still lags behind the capacity of fuel cars. Currently, electric cars can tow up to 2,500 kg, but some fuel cars can tow up to an additional 1,000 kg.
Tips for towing with an EV and maximizing range
There are a few things you can do to maximize your reach.
Lowering your speed helps improve energy consumption as there is less wind resistance and so you can achieve slightly more range.
And just as you would remove unnecessary weight to reduce fuel consumption, if you want to maximize range, you can remove all the stuff you don’t need from your caravan or trailer.
Best EVs for Towing
Audi Q8 e-tron
Price: from £72,235
The first EV on our list with a maximum towing capacity of 1,800 kg with brakes is the expensive Audi Q8 e-tron
The Audi is not a cheap family motor for towing caravans. The luxury SUV – which has a range of up to 330 miles on a single charge – starts at an eye-watering £72,000.
Genesis GV70
Price: from £65,105
With a towing capacity of 1,800 kg, the Genesis GV70 is once again a luxury SUV with a high asking price
If you are not familiar with this brand: Genesis is the premium brand within the Hyundai Motor Group and specializes in electrified models.
The Genesis GV70 SUV can tow 1,800kg, but it’s not what you’d call cheap: it costs more than £65,000 for a spacious SUV with a range of 283 miles between charges.
Kia EV6GT
Price: from £62,645
The EV6 GT is the performance version of Kia’s EV6 electric model. It also has a greater towing capacity
The EV6 GT is the more powerful variant of the Kia EV6 – the What Car? is considered worthy of the 2023 award for best electric tow car. It also boasts a range of 263 miles.
While the standard model can tow up to 1,600 kg, the GT version has a towing capacity of up to 1,800 kg. From £62,645, that extra pulling power over the conventional EV6 comes at a rather high cost.
Mercedes-Benz EQA (300/350 variants)
Price: from £53,010
The entry-level EQA 250 4Matic cannot match the 1,800 kg towing capacity of the 300 and 350
Only the EQA 300 and 350 4Matic variants have the higher towing capacity of 1,800kg, meaning you’ll have to pay more than £53,000 if you want to carry anything behind your Mercedes electric SUV.
With a range of between 260 and 260 miles, you can expect this to decrease somewhat if you’ve got something heavy strapped on.
Mercedes-Benz EQC
Price: from £74,330
With a price tag of almost £75,000 and a range of just over 400 miles, the Mercedes EQC is an expensive way to tow a caravan
The EQC is no different to any of the other expensive EVs on the list, with a starting price of £74,330 and a range of just 250 miles between charges.
That gives you a towing capacity of 1,800 kg.
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
Price: from £129,470
The Mercedes EQS SUV is the most expensive model on this list and is exceptionally expensive at almost £130,000
You’ll need almost £130,000 if you want this caravan-pulling EV. That’s because it’s Mercedes’ version of a jacked-up luxury limousine: the EQS SUV.
It is packed with technology and pure luxury and can tow up to 1,800 kg.
Volvo C40 Recharge (Twin variant)
Price: from £59,750
Volvos are a favorite among the caravanning community, and this compact C40 Recharge is up to the task
Volvo’s latest fully electric compact SUV is the sleek C40 Recharge.
Only the dual-motor variants – which offer a range of 275 miles – have the full 1,800kg payload, meaning prices start from just under £60,000.
Volvo XC40 Recharge (Twin variant)
Price: from £61,855
The twin-engine Volvo XC40 Recharge is another small electric SUV with pulling power
The more practical option for the C40 Recharge is Volvo’s XC40 Recharge. Again, you’ll need to step up to the dual-motor variants to get a maximum towing capacity of 1,800.
These costs start from almost £62,000.
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