Towing with an electric vehicle – the pros and cons

With smooth power delivery and near-instant responses, electric motors are arguably better suited to towing than a petrol and diesel engine. However (just like their fuel-burning counterparts) not all electric cars are legally permitted to tow.

Towing capacity is set during Type Approval, an assessment which all new models are put through before they go on sale, but it’s optional. Manufacturers can decide to avoid that part of the process if they believe a vehicle is unlikely to pull a trailer – for example, high-performance supercars or a small electric hatchback with a short range.

If a vehicle hasn’t been type approved for towing, then it is illegal to use it to pull a trailer – even if it’s physically capable of doing so[1]. However, as battery costs fall and ranges continue to grow, most manufacturers are opting to put new vehicles through this process.

Type Approval includes weight limits for two types of trailers[3]:

• Unbraked: Trailers without their own braking system. These cannot weigh more than 750kg when fully loaded.
• Braked: Trailers with their own braking system, designed for heavier loads – such as caravans, cars or boats. These cannot weigh more than 3,500kg when fully loaded.

Most electric vehicles which are approved for towing can pull unbraked trailers up to the 750kg weight limit. The capacity for a braked trailer depends on the towing vehicle and its powertrain, but it’s typically lower for an electric vehicle than its fuel-burning equivalent.

For example, a diesel BMW X5 can tow braked trailers weighing of up to 3,500kg[4], whereas the electric BMW iX SUV is limited to 2,500kg[5]. However, that’s still more than enough for a large caravan.

From city cars to luxury SUVs, there’s a lot of choice available if you need an electric vehicle that can pull a trailer. However, the maximum towing capacity varies – even within a single model. For example, four-wheel drive versions of the Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90 can pull twice as much weight as two-wheel drive models.

Here is a list of vehicles approved for towing:

Max. Towing Capacity (Braked, 12% gradient) Audi Q4 e-tron (inc. Sportback) 1,000-1,200kg* Audi Q6 e-tron 2,000-2,400kg Audi Q8 e-tron quattro (inc. Sportback) 1,800kg BMW i4 1,600kg BMW i5 1,500-2,000kg* BMW i7 2,000kg BMW iX 2,500kg BMW iX1 750-1,200kg* BMW iX2 750-1,200kg* BMW iX3 750kg Citroën ë-Berlingo M 750kg Citroën ë-C3 550kg Citroën ë-Spacetourer 1,000kg Ford Explorer 1,000-1,200kg Ford Mustang Mach-E 750-1,500kg Genesis Electrified GV70 1,800kg Genesis GV60 1,600kg Hyundai Ioniq 5 750-1,600kg** Hyundai Ioniq 6 1,500kg Hyundai Kona EV 750kg** Jaguar I-Pace 750kg KGM Torres EVX 1,500kg Kia EV6 1,600kg Kia EV9 900-2,500kg* Kia Niro EV 750kg Lexus RZ 450e 750kg Lotus Eletre 2,250kg Maserati Grecale Folgore 1,800kg Maxus MIFA 9 1,000kg Mercedes-Benz EQA 1,500-1,800kg* Mercedes-Benz EQB 1,400-1,700kg* Mercedes-Benz EQC 1,800kg Mercedes-Benz EQE 750-1,700kg* Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 1,800kg Mercedes-Benz EQS 750kg Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 1,800kg MG ZS 500kg MG4 EV 500kg MG5 EV 500kg Mini Aceman 750kg Mini Countryman 2,000kg Nissan Ariya 1,500kg Peugeot e-3008 1,250kg Peugeot e-Rifter 750kg Peugeot e-Traveller 1,000kg Polestar 2 1,500kg Polestar 3 2,200kg Polestar 4 1,500-2,000kg* Porsche Macan 2,000kg Renault 5 E-Tech 500kg Renault Mégane E-Tech 900kg Renault Scenic E-Tech 1,100kg Skoda Enyaq iV (inc. Coupe) 1,200-1,400kg* Smart #1 1,600kg Smart #3 1,600kg Ssangyong Korando EV 1,500kg Subaru Volterra 750kg Tesla Model 3 1,000kg Tesla Model X 2,268kg Tesla Model Y 1,600kg Toyota BZ4x 750kg Vauxhall Combo-e Life 750kg Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life 1,000kg Volkswagen ID.4 1,000-1,200kg* Volkswagen ID.5 1,200kg Volkswagen ID.7 1,200kg Volkswagen ID.Buzz 1,000kg Volvo EC40 1,500-1,800kg* Volvo EX30 1,000-1,600kg* Volvo EX40 1,500-1,800kg* Volvo EX90 1,200-2,200kg*

* Two or four-wheel drive versions ** Long-range battery only

Licensing rules changed in December 2021, permitting most drivers to tow a trailer without additional training [6]. However, even experienced electric vehicle drivers need to bear a few things in mind before they set off:

• Towing reduces an EV’s range: Just like using a petrol or diesel car, the extra weight and aerodynamic drag of pulling a trailer will affect an EV’s efficiency and range. Autocar reported a 50% drop in range while towing a one-tonne caravan[7], which is similar to the results of a 2019 test by the Norsk Elbilforening (Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association)[8].
• Think about where you’ll charge: Most charging bays are not designed to accommodate a vehicle and trailer, so it might be necessary to unhitch before plugging in. Gridserve’s new Electric Forecourt facilities are among first to include spaces big enough for larger vehicles and tow cars[9].
• Don’t pull an oversized trailer: Type approval sets what’s called a ‘maximum train weight’ for a vehicle, which includes passengers, cargo and a trailer, and the DVSA will issue fines of up to £300 for exceeding this[10]. Experts typically advise limiting trailers to 85% of a vehicle’s kerb weight to avoid stability issues[11] and you’ll need to fit towing mirrors if it’s wider than the car, or you could be fined £1,000[12].

[1] Department for Transport. (n.d.). Towing with a car. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/weight-and-width-limits. [Accessed 10 Jul 2024].

[2] RAC. (2021). Can electric cars tow? A guide and tips for caravans. [online] Available at: https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/electric-cars/running/electric-cars-tow [Accessed 10 Jul 2024].

[3] Department for Transport. (2016). Towing a trailer with a car or van: the basics. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/towing-a-trailer-with-a-car-or-van/towing-a-trailer-with-a-car-or-van-the-basics [Accessed 10 Jul 2024].

[4] BMW (2023). Specifications. BMW X5. [online] Available at: https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/united-kingdom/article/attachment/T0408483EN_GB/573765 [Accessed 10 Jul 2024].

[5] BMW (2021). Technical Specifications. BMW iX. [online] Available at: https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/attachment/T0333569EN/486247 [Accessed 10 Jul 2024].

[6] DVSA. (2021). New rules for towing a trailer or caravan with a car from autumn 2021. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-rules-for-towing-a-trailer-or-caravan-with-a-car-from-autumn-2021#what-changed-on-16-december-2021 [Accessed 10 Jul. 2024].

[7] Autocar. (2024). Range game: how viable are EVs for towing. [online] Available at: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/features/range-game-how-viable-are-evs-towing [Accessed 10 Jul. 2024].

[8] elbil.no. (n.d.). The very first test of three electric cars with caravans. [online] Available at: https://elbil.no/the-very-first-test-of-three-electric-cars-with-caravans/ [Accessed 10 Jul 2024].

[9] Gridserve (2020). Braintree Overview. [online] Available at: https://www.gridserve.com/braintree-overview/ [Accessed 10 Jul 2024].

[10] DVSA. (2019). DVSA roadside checks: fines and financial deposits. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-graduated-fixed-penalties-financial-deposits/dvsa-roadside-checks-fines-and-financial-deposits [Accessed 10 Jul. 2024].

[11] Camping and Caravanning Club. (n.d.). Matching car and caravan. [online] Available at: https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/advice/equipment/matching-car-and-caravan/ [Accessed 10 Jul. 2024]. [12] DVSA. (n.d.). Trailer and towing equipment. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/trailer-and-towing-equipment [Accessed 10 Jul. 2024].

This blog was originally published on leaseplan.com website. The views expressed may no longer be current and any reference to specific vehicles or products is for reference only. This information is not a personal recommendation for any particular vehicle, product or service - if you are unsure about the suitability of a product, you should consult with an expert.