Towing a trailer with an electric car: what you need to know

Many electric cars can tow a trailer, and their high torque helps them pull away easily even when loaded. The difference from a petrol car shows in range and charging.

How much an EV can tow

It depends a lot on the model. A few examples for braked trailers, from published figures: the Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6 up to 1,600 kg, the Škoda Enyaq between 1,200 and 1,400 kg and the Volkswagen ID.4 between 1,000 and 1,200 kg, depending on version. Some small models, such as the Renault Zoe or Fiat 500e, are not approved for towing at all.

How much range drops

With a trailer, especially a tall one such as a caravan, the car has to overcome much more air resistance. It is not unusual for range to halve or drop even further, depending on speed and the trailer. Speed matters enormously, so driving at 90 km/h instead of 110 km/h makes a big difference.

Charging on the road

• Many fast chargers have nose-in bays, so with a trailer you may need to unhitch it to reach the cable.
• Look for chargers with side access or pull-through bays and plan more frequent stops.
• Leave home with a full battery and keep a bigger buffer than usual.

What your licence allows

With a category B licence you can tow a trailer of up to 750 kg, or a heavier one if the combination’s total mass does not exceed 3,500 kg. Heavier combinations need a BE licence. EVs are often heavy, so do the maths beforehand.

What wears faster

Towing puts extra strain on the brakes, suspension, tyres and battery cooling. If you tow often, check them more often. See regenerative braking and what affects range.