BMW iX
2,500 kg
Towing with an electric car: all you need to know
Towing capabilities are important to many people when buying a car. Caravans, trailers, and other cars are all things you might need to tow at some point.
Before hitching up, it’s vital to ensure your car is suitable for towing. Some cars will simply be unable to shift the weight of a trailer, while the performance of others will be severely reduced. But how is towing with a used electric car different from towing with a petrol or diesel car, and what are the factors you need to consider? This guide, put together by CarSupermarket.coms experts, contains all the information you need before you hitch up and start towing.
Can you tow with an electric car?
Technological advancements in recent years mean that several types of electric car are capable of towing - though only certain models are designed and approved for it.
EVs that are suitable for towing will be ‘type-approved’, which means the car has been tested to ensure it can safely manage the additional load.
The electric vehicles that don’t have this approval don’t have strong enough brakes and suspension to cope with towing, which puts these components under more pressure due to the added weight. These parts are already under more pressure in EVs, as they’re generally heavier than petrol or diesel cars due to their battery systems.
The braking systems used in EVs are particularly important when it comes to approving the vehicle for towing. In some electric cars, the brakes gather kinetic energy and recycle it to charge the battery. EVs that are towing are heavier, so the kinetic energy gathered will be far greater, potentially causing damage to the battery.
Some electric cars may also automatically brake when you lift your foot off the accelerator. This is dangerous when towing, as it can lead to skidding or swerving.
So, there certainly are electric cars that can cope with the demands of towing – you'll just have to double check the make and model you’re after is approved and suitable to do so. If you’d like to learn more about towing and EVs before making a decision on your next used car, get in touch with our friendly team of experts.
If you attempt to tow with an EV that hasn’t been approved, you’ll be risking invalidating your warranty and insurance, not to mention the safety of yourself and others.
Can an electric car tow a caravan?
There are several electric cars that are suitable and approved for towing caravans. The most important thing to consider is the size of the caravan. Smaller caravans can weigh between 800kg and 1,300kg, while the largest caravans you’ll typically find on UK roads can be closer to 3,000kg. Most approved EVs can tow between 1,500kg and 2,500kg, so it’s important to check that your specific make and model is suitable for your specific caravan. Here are five EVs that are approved to tow over 2,000kg, putting them among the leading options when it comes to maximum towing capacity (Some of these towing capacities may vary depending on the exact specification of the vehicle)
Electric car towing capacity
The weight your electric car can legally and safely tow is known as its towing capacity.
All cars have a listed towing capacity, which can usually be found in the V5C logbook, on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Plate – normally located in the doorframe - or in the vehicle handbook.
If you’re a beginner when it comes to towing, try driving with a lighter trailer or caravan first. Experts recommend that only drivers with significant towing experience should tow a caravan or trailer that’s 85% to 100% of your car’s kerbweight. When a caravan or trailer is of a similar weight to a car, it makes snaking more difficult to control. Snaking is when a caravan or trailer falls out of sync with the car and begins swerving from side to side – normally due to a crosswind or uneven loading.
The towing capacities of EV cars are rising as the technology develops. The best-performing electric cars for towing capacity, like the BMW iX, can handle 2,500kg, which is similar to many of the top petrol or diesel cars. There are only a handful of cars that can tow upwards of 3,000kg, like the Ford Ranger or Land Rover Discovery 4.
How far can an electric car tow a caravan or trailer?
Like petrol or diesel cars, the efficiency of an EV is impacted by towing. The added weight means more energy is used, therefore reducing the range.
The rate at which the range of your electric car is reduced by towing is primarily determined by the weight of the caravan or trailer, but also where you’re driving. Heavier caravans or trailers will have a greater impact on an EV’s range, as will driving up hills, on rural roads, and starting and stopping frequently.
It’s reported that towing with an EV can reduce its normal range by up to 50%, so keep this in mind, especially if you’re using your EV in cold weather. However, with some EVs now boasting ranges of over 400 miles, you may not even need to make a charging stop.
Can you tow an electric car?
It’s not possible to tow an electric car with another car as they don’t have a gearbox.
This means that you can’t disengage the transmission and put it in neutral, which is required for towing as it allows the wheels to roll freely. If you try to tow an EV, you’ll likely cause damage to the battery and the electric system.
In the unlikely event that your electric car is without power and needs moving, the best course of action is to use a flatbed truck.
What is the best EV for towing?
There are many electric cars to pick from if you’re looking to tow a caravan or trailer.
The towing capacity is obviously a key deciding factor, and German manufacturers like Audi, with the E-Tron, and Mercedes, with the EQC, are masters when it comes to combining towing capacity with range.
Dedicated EV manufacturers like Tesla and Polestar are always reliable choices too, with their spacious and long-range models ideal for adventuring.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a fantastic, affordable option, as is the Kia EV6, an immensely popular and sporty alternative to the more household names.
Electric cars and towing capacities
Here are a few examples of electric cars and their respective towing capacities* to give you an idea of what could tow your caravan or trailer. *Some of these towing capacities may vary depending on the exact specification of the vehicle.
Tesla Model X
2,250 kg
Audi E-Tron
1,800 kg
Mercedes EQC
1,800 kg
Tesla Model Y
1,600 kg
Hyundai IONIQ 5
1,600 kg
Kia EV6
1,600 kg
Polestar 2
1,500 kg
Are EVs better for towing than petrol or diesel cars?
Electric cars are certainly suitable for towing, and there are several reasons why you may choose one to move your trailer or caravan over a petrol or diesel car.
One key reason is because EVs have instant torque at any speed, which means that power is delivered straight away when you press the accelerator. Petrol or diesel cars need to build up revs to deliver the same power, meaning it takes longer to accelerate – particularly when towing a caravan or trailer.
The outcome is that electric cars are much smoother to drive when towing. Combine that with the near silence of an electric motor and the on-board tech that comes with EVs, and your journey is already looking a lot more relaxing.
Electrics cars generally have similar towing capacities to petrol and diesel cars, though the latter will be needed for the heaviest caravans and trailers.
The main issue some drivers may have with an electric car and towing is the impact it has on range. While EV ranges are improving, a reduction of 50%, which can be seen when towing heavier caravans or trailers, is of course a drawback. If you’re planning on a longer trip, you’ll likely need to schedule in charging stops.
But given petrol and diesel also suffer from reduced maximum mileage while towing, and that an EV can have lower running costs to begin with, it makes for an interesting choice.
Depending on the journeys you’ll be taking on, the weight of your trailer or caravan, and how important your comfort is, an EV could be ideal for your towing needs.
Browse CarSupermarket’s full range of used electric cars, or get in touch with our experts if you need any further information on towing with an EV. Our EV hub has all the information you need on electric cars..
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