Can an electric car tow a caravan?

When thinking about a new tow car, people may generally gravitate to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, dismissing electric cars under the misconception that they can’t tow. However, the great news is that the world is evolving and there are now many electric cars that can do the tow car job, just not all of them. So, how do you know which electric cars can, and can’t, tow? We’ve created this handy guide to answer any queries you have about towing with an electric car.

The electric motors that are in EVs produce strong torque the moment you hit the accelerator pedal, which theoretically makes them well suited to towing. EVs also tend to be cheaper to run overall than combustion alternatives. On the downside, puling a trailer will inevitably reduce an EV’s range, making charging stops more frequent and this can be inconvenient on long journeys.

Some EVs are very limited on their towing capacities and some aren't rated for towing at all, like the Nissan Leaf and Peugeot e-208. Any new car needs to be approved for towing and given an official maximum towing weight if it is to be legally used as a tow car and some manufacturers decide against going through the process for EVs - even though the cars in question could hypothetically be up to the task.

See below for some examples of electric cars that can tow and other information that may come in handy. Check out our hybrid car towing guide if you’re not quite ready for a full EV and thinking of switching to a hybrid tow car. Follow us at DrivingElectric on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for all the latest news and reviews from the world of hybrid and electric cars.

Which electric cars can tow?

Many electric cars on sale right now can tow a trailer or caravan. The BMW iX and Kia EV9 both have a 2,500kg capacity and even the Audi Q6 e-tron is even capable of towing up to 2,400kg.

Meanwhile, the Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes EQS SUV can both tow up to 1,800kg, while the Volvo EX40 can tow up to 1,800kg in twin-motor guise or 1,500kg with the single motor set-up. The Tesla Model Y Long Range can manage a 1,600kg trailer, as can the Kia EV6 and its sister model the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The Lotus Eletre is rated for towing up to 2,250kg, while the Audi Q4 e-tron can handle 1,200kg in four-wheel-drive 'quattro' form or 1,000kg as a two-wheel drive and Its sibling model, the Volkswagen ID.4, can also haul up to 1,000kg.

Why can’t you tow with some electric cars?

One of the crucial reasons why some EVs aren't able to tow is due to 'vehicle type approval'. This is done by the Vehicle Certification Agency and is the process of confirming that vehicles meet the minimum safety and technical requirements for the road. Some car brands decide against certifying some of their models for towing and this is the case with some EVs.

A big sticking point for manufacturers that stops them from having towing type approval done is that weight is a sizable aspect in the certification process. Batteries are a crucial part of an electric car's setup and they also tend to be very heavy, which means for the most part, EVs tend to be heavier than combustion cars. 

If you add the extra weight of a full trailer or a caravan on top of what is already a heavy vehicle then it could spell additional costs to the manufacturers for such things as upgraded brakes or suspension parts. As a result, some brands decide that they see more value elsewhere rather than developing their EVs for towing, especially as most people rarely use their cars to tow. 

Range is another concern with caravan owners often covering long distances to reach destinations, which can be an issue for some electric models. Due to the significant extra weight and wind resistance of a trailer or caravan, the real-world range of an EV tow car will decrease by a substantial margin from the official figure from the manufacturer.

Then brands also need to consider the regenerative braking system. This is programmed to work the weight of the car alone, so any extra weight from a trailer or caravan would require additional braking force and this might cause issues with the electronics and the electric motor. Brands that have their EVs rated for towing have developed systems to cope with different towed weights to counteract any complications.

Anything else you might need to know about towing with an electric car?

Before you even consider towing, you need to check your driving licence to ensure you are able to tow legally. People who got their licence after 1st January 1997 are restricted to tow a combined vehicle and trailer weight of 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) with some large EVs weighing well over two tonnes, this might stop you from pulling a large trailer. Those who passed before that date shouldn’t face too many issues as their licence allows them to tow up to a combined 8,250kg MAM.

Always ensure that the weight of the caravan or trailer you are towing doesn't exceed 85 per cent of the weight of your tow car, to make sure you retain full control. Going past this weight could result in a dangerous situation for both you and other road users if the vehicle becomes unable to stop. 

Another important thing to mention is to never exceed the maximum load capacity of any trailer, going over this is likely to damage the trailer and potentially cause an accident. These maximum capacities are there to protect the safety of the user and other road users so never exceed them.

The last thing you need to remember is to carefully analyse every vehicle you are looking to purchase with towing in mind. We would recommend that you pick a car with a towing capacity well in excess of the weight of the caravan or trailer you are looking to use, as doing so will make sure you maintain control in most scenarios and don't come close to the legal weight limits.

Can an electric car be towed?

If your electric car runs out of charge or breaks down, you should never allow it to be towed away with the wheels on the ground, but instead placed on a flatbed trailer. Towing an EV with its wheels on the ground could damage the systems in the vehicle, such as the traction motor that generates electricity when coasting. 

In the event of an issue, most manufacturers advise owners to contact their breakdown provider and specifically ask for, and ensure a flatbed truck is used to take the vehicle away. However, in some instances, electric cars can be towed with the front wheels lifted, but this is often limited to a short distance. Whatever happens, in the event of any issues always consult your vehicle manual to find out what your manufacturer recommends.