Towing and electric vehicles (EVs)

The advantage of towing with an EV is the amount of torque instantly available compared to petrol or diesel vehicles. Plus, with less moving parts and no gearbox there’s less strain on the drivetrain. However, towing with an EV will significantly lower its range. The extra energy required to move a heavier load depends on exactly what is being towed and what you’re towing it with. Determining how fast your battery will drain depends on many different factors, especially aerodynamics. You’ll definitely need to recharge more frequently. Bear in mind this will mean unhitching at many public charging stations in order to not block other vehicles. Planning ahead is essential. If you’re towing a caravan it’s worth checking ahead of time with caravan parks about their charging options.

At the moment, tow capacities of many EVs are less than some petrol or diesel alternatives. But as advances in battery technology take place, so too will the towing ability, capacity and range of future EVs.