Can electric cars tow a trailer or caravan?

If you’re a caravan owner who loves nothing more than hitting the open road and you’re also considering buying an electric car, this blog is for you.

The first question you’re likely to have is, can I tow a caravan or trailer with an electric car?

The short answer is, yes you can, but it will depend on a few things. Here are some of the things you need to know if you want to use your electric car to tow a caravan or trailer.

How can you tell if an electric car can tow a caravan or trailer?

To find out if an electric vehicle (EV) can tow a trailer or caravan, you’ll need to find out if it’s been ‘type-approved’ for towing.

Manufacturers decide when a car is made if it is strong enough to tow something. If it is, it’s classed as type-approved for towing and given a towing capacity.

So, if an EV has an official towing capacity that’s published by the manufacturer, you’ll know that it’s type-approved for towing.

The towing capacity will tell you what weight limits your EV can tow and whether it’s powerful enough to pull a small trailer, a large caravan, or anything in between.

There are two types of towing capacity, braked and unbraked.

An unbraked towing capacity is the maximum weight a vehicle can tow when whatever it’s towing does not have its own brakes.

A braked towing capacity is the maximum weight a vehicle can tow when whatever it’s towing does have its own brakes.

Are electric cars suitable for towing a caravan?

Some electric cars are type-approved to tow the same capacity as an equivalent petrol or diesel car.

Because electric cars can produce full power in an instant, they’re great for towing. The same can be said for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), which are more likely to be approved for towing.

Some models of electric car haven’t been approved for towing. This could be for several reasons, including:

• the extra weight causing the motor and brakes to struggle
• the regenerative braking system that EVs use affecting the ability to tow
• the affect any extra weight might have on the range of an electric vehicle

It’s best to speak to an electric car specialist at an EV dealership and find out which of their vehicles are type-approved for towing.

Will towing a caravan affect the battery range of an electric car?

Yes, you can expect your battery range to drop if you’re towing a heavy load. However, that’s no different to driving a petrol or diesel car because towing something heavy will affect its fuel efficiency in the same way.

A definite benefit of electric cars is the fact that they can produce full power in an instant. Petrol or diesel engines need to get some revs up before they can achieve full power.

Hybrid cars, or PHEVs, are another excellent option for towing a caravan or trailer.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and 100% electric vehicles that can tow caravans and trailers

At Nathaniel Cars, our range of electric cars includes both PHEVs and a 100%-electric car that are type-approved to tow caravans and trailers. Here are some of the facts and figures about these hybrid cars and what they can tow.

Towing a caravan with a Jeep Renegade 4XE plug-in hybrid

The Jeep Renegade 4XE plug-in hybrid has a maximum(Unbraked) towing capacity of 1,150kg. Smaller 2-berth and 4-berth caravans tend to weigh between 800kg and 1300kg, so you should be able to tow a small, lightly loaded caravan or a medium-sized trailer.

Towing a caravan with an MG HS plug-in hybrid

The MG HS plug-in hybrid has a maximum unbraked towing capacity of 1,500kg. Smaller 2-berth and 4-berth caravans tend to weigh between 800kg and 1300kg, so you should be able to tow a small to medium-sized, caravan or a large trailer and even a jet ski.

Towing a caravan with an MG ZS EV Long range

The MG ZS EV long range is a 100%-electric vehicle with a maximum unbraked towing capacity of 500kg. Trailer tents and small trailers tend to weigh around 500kg fully laden. So, comfortably within the scope of the MG ZS EV.

Safely towing caravans and trailers with an electric car

If you want to use an electric car to tow a caravan or trailer, it’s important to be certain that you’re doing it safely.

Never tow anything with your car until you’ve made sure that the towing capacity of the car will allow it. You should also weigh the caravan or trailer that you plan to tow when it’s fully loaded.

When in doubt, ask the experts. Speak to representatives from the manufacturers of both your car and caravan, or anything else that you might be towing. They can make sure that everything is within safe limits before you set off on the road.

It’s possible to tow a caravan with the right electric car

If towing is an important part of your motoring life, you don’t have to exclude EVs entirely. Just make sure that you do your research. It’s important to know exactly what an electric car or plug-in hybrid can tow safely and legally before you buy one.

If you have any questions about towing with an electric car or hybrid vehicle, the plug-in car experts at Nathaniel Cars are here to help.

Just fill in the “Ask our EV Experts” form or pop into Nathaniel Cars’ Cardiff or Bridgend showroom.