Until fairly recently, the idea of towing with an electric car would have raised a few eyebrows – and understandably so. Electric vehicles (EVs) were niche choices in a market dominated by petrol and diesel power.
Manufacturers focused on refining battery range, charging speeds and efficiency, not investing in the costly certification needed to rate these vehicles for towing. But as the electric vehicle market has matured, an increasing number of EVs have arrived ready to take on the challenge of pulling trailers, caravans, and horseboxes – providing new possibilities for drivers who tow.
While the best diesel and petrol tow cars still lead the way when it comes to capacity, many larger electric cars now offer enough for most domestic and leisure towing needs. Even some smaller electric models are rated to pull lightweight, unbraked trailers. It’s worth noting, though, that towing limits vary widely from model to model, and the type of trailer – whether braked or unbraked – matters. Typically, the unbraked towing limit is lower than the braked figure for both combustion and electric vehicles.
What makes electric cars especially interesting for towing is the character of their power delivery. Electric motors produce instant torque making them remarkably capable when it comes to pulling away smoothly with a trailer hitched behind. Unlike diesel engines, which deliver torque at low revs, EVs have it instantly at any speed. But there are trade-offs.
One of the biggest challenges when towing with an electric car is range. Towing adds significant weight and aerodynamic drag, meaning the car’s battery drains far faster. This could mean stopping to recharge much more often on longer journeys, which can be tricky when public charging bays are not designed to accommodate trailered vehicles. For those who only tow short distances this might not matter too much, but for regular long-distance towing, such as cross-country caravan holidays, the inconvenience could be prohibitive.
Interestingly, despite their potential, some high-end electric cars aren’t rated for towing at all. This is often down to the manufacturer’s decision not to pursue type approval which ensures vehicles meet strict safety and technical standards for towing. For EVs, there’s an added complication: batteries are heavy, which pushes up the overall weight of the vehicle. Adding a full trailer or caravan on top can create technical challenges around braking and suspension that some brands choose to sidestep.
At the other end of the scale, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) have emerged as excellent all-rounders for towing as they offer a blend of electric running for short journeys and combustion power for longer hauls. Hybrids also avoid the recharging problem, as they can refuel quickly at any petrol station.
For commercial use, towing with electric vans (eLCVs) presents even more challenges. Recent research has shown that towing and full payloads can slash an electric van’s real-world range by up to 31%, compared to around 15% for a diesel van.
Ultimately, towing with an electric car is not only possible, but in many cases, surprisingly capable. However, if you’re considering an electric car and intend to use it for towing, you should carefully research towing capacities, be realistic about range limitations, and consider the practicalities of charging en route.
At Cheshire Trailers, whether it’s behind a diesel, petrol, or electric vehicle we have over 15 years of experience, NTTA-trained experts, and a purpose-built workshop in Cheshire, perfectly equipped to help with trailer servicing, maintenance, and repairs – whatever your tow vehicle.
