Contrary to popular belief, you can tow a trailer or caravan with an electric car. Indeed, figures from What Car? reveal that more than half of the electric cars currently on sale can be used for towing duties.
That said, not every electric car can tow a trailer or caravan, even if an abundance of instant electric torque should make them ideal for the job. It all comes down to whether or not the EV in question has been approved to tow.
This is a process called Vehicle Type Approval. According to the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA), it provides ‘confirmation that production samples of a type of vehicle, vehicle system, component or separate technical unit will meet specified performance standards’. One of the categories is towing.
Some car manufacturers choose not to go through the process, even if their cars could theoretically tow a trailer. For a family SUV such as the Nissan Ariya, type approval would make sense, but it could be overkill for an electric city car or supermini.
Which electric cars can tow?
At the time of writing (May 2024), the following new electric cars have been approved to tow:
- Audi Q4 e-tron (1,000kg to 1,200kg)
- Audi Q8 e-tron (1,800kg)
- BMW i4 (1,600kg)
- BMW i5 (1,500kg to 2,000kg)
- BMW i7 (2,000kg)
- BMW iX1 (1,200kg)
- BMW iX2 (750kg to 1,200kg)
- BMW iX3 (750kg)
- BMW iX (2,500kg)
- Citroen Berlingo (750kg)
- Citroen E-SpaceTourer (1,000kg)
- Fisker Ocean (1,820kg)
- Ford Mustang Mach-E (750kg to 1,500kg)
- Genesis GV60 (1,600kg)
- Genesis GV70 Electrified (1,800kg)
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 (1,600kg)
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 (1,500kg)
- Hyundai Kona Electric (750kg)
- Jaguar I-Pace (750kg)
- KGM Korando (1,500kg)
- Kia Niro EV (750kg)
- Kia EV6 (1,600kg to 1,800kg)
- Kia EV9 (900kg to 2,500kg)
- Maxus Mifa 9 (1,000kg)
- Maxus T90 (1,000kg)
- Mercedes-Benz EQA (1,500kg to 1,800kg)
- Mercedes-Benz EQS (750kg)
- MG4 EV (500kg)
- MG5 EV (500kg)
- MG ZS EV (500kg)
- Nissan Ariya (750kg to 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 (1,500kg to 2,000kg)
- Porsche Macan (2,000kg)
- Renault Megane E-Tech (900kg)
- Renault Scenic E-Tech (1,100kg)
- Skoda Enyaq (1,000kg to 1,200kg)
- Smart #1 (1,600kg)
- Subaru Solterra (750kg)
- Tesla Model 3 (1,000kg)
- Tesla Model Y (1,600kg)
- Toyota bZ4x (750kg)
- Vauxhall Combo Life (750kg)
- Vauxhall Vivaro Life (1,000kg)
- Volkswagen ID.4 (1,000kg to 1,200kg)
- Volkswagen ID. 5 (1,000kg to 1,200kg)
- Volkswagen ID.7 (1,000kg)
- Volkswagen ID.Buzz (1,000kg)
- Volvo EC40 (1,500kg to 1,800kg)
- Volvo EX30 (1,000kg to 1,600kg)
- Volvo EX40 (1,500kg to 1,800kg)
- Volvo EX90 (2,200kg)
The BMW iX, Kia EV9, Polestar 3 and Volvo EX90 are four cars to consider if you’re looking to tow a large trailer or caravan. Note: the list is based on new cars available to buy right now.
Why are some electric cars unable to tow?
Aside from the fact that some car manufacturers choose not to take their EVs through the type approval process, there are other reasons why electric cars cannot tow.
Firstly, the extra weight behind the car would increase the workload for the electric motor(s), reducing the available battery range. This weight would also put significant strain on the car’s braking system.
Secondly, most regenerative braking systems are calibrated to the specific weight of the vehicle, meaning a caravan or trailer could disrupt the car’s electronics.
Remember, even if your electric car can tow a trailer or caravan, the projected range will be lower when you’ve got something hitched up to the tow bar. Be prepared for more charging stops on a long journey.
Which are the best electric cars for towing?
Electric cars performed well at the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Towcar of the Year Awards in 2024. The Volkswagen ID.Buzz was a class winner in the ‘caravans under 1,100kg’ category, while the Skoda Enyaq Coupe was the best in the 1,100kg to 1,300kg class.
Elsewhere, the Polestar 2 was named the winner in the 1,500kg to 1,700kg class, while the Nissan Ariya was named the best electric vehicle tow car.
Meanwhile, the Kia EV6 was crowned the best electric car at the What Car? Tow Car Awards 2023.
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