EVs and towing?

k6chris

With my small ICE, I tow an 800kg trailer about ten times a year.  Individual trips vary from 100 to 300 miles.  How far away are (non-supercar) EVs away from being able to do this comfortably?  Are we talking a few years or is it likely to be closer to the end of the decade? 

born_again

EV's can tow. Just the manufactures are not submitting them for homologation.

Tesla can (or at least some of them) tow 2,268 kg with an X

Herzlos

There are no small EVs that are rated for towing yet, which is disappointing (we're in same boat).


There's a list here: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/electric-cars/top-10-best-electric-cars-towing

But as far as I can tell the car version of the Vivaro can't tow (the van can so it doesn't make sense)

I believe the MG5 EV is the cheapest EV that has some towing ability.

You might have better luck with Hybrids, or juat buying a bigger EV and do away with the trailer.

EVs themselves are well suited for towing due to the instant torque, but I don't think the demand/volume is quite there yet which is a big shame. I can't see that lasting long given how battery vehicles are dominating the market.

caprikid1

A friend of mine dragged a large trailor around with his Tesla across fields etc last weekend... Seemed fine, only issue was you never heard the thing coming !

knightstyle

Good report here...  https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/blog/towing-with-a-tesla/

mgfvvc

There is a comprehensive list of electric cars rated for towing at https://electrictowcars.co.uk/electric-tow-cars/. I'm not sure that any of them qualify as small. The Mercedes EQA is described as a compact SUV, so it might just count as small for some people? It is only rated to tow 750kg with an estimated towing range of 110 miles. For an occasional long towing journey with a lunch stop near a charger it might just do, but you wouldn't want to tow any distance on a regular basis.

Some of the bigger cars might be more practical (and even more pricey), but you did ask for a small car.

k6chris

mgfvvc said:

There is a comprehensive list of electric cars rated for towing at https://electrictowcars.co.uk/electric-tow-cars/. I'm not sure that any of them qualify as small. The Mercedes EQA is described as a compact SUV, so it might just count as small for some people? It is only rated to tow 750kg with an estimated towing range of 110 miles. For an occasional long towing journey with a lunch stop near a charger it might just do, but you wouldn't want to tow any distance on a regular basis.

Some of the bigger cars might be more practical (and even more pricey), but you did ask for a small car.

Thanks.  Nice small EV, shame it's £45k for a 100 mile towing range (similar for Tesla 3 LR).  Recharging mid tow is a problem as you have to decouple the trailer and leave it parked, whilst you drive to charging point. 

Some progress, but I guess I will be replacing my current ICE with another one in the next few years and wait for towing to be seen as a consumer demand and the rechraging infrstructure to think about trailers.