Towing with Electric Vehicles
While towing is possible with many EVs, it’s important to understand its impact on battery range and vehicle performance. EVs can offer impressive towing capacities—often rivaling or exceeding those of traditional gas-powered vehicles—but towing also comes with unique considerations.
1. EV Towing Capabilities
Many electric vehicles, particularly trucks, are designed with towing in mind, while sedans and SUVs offer towing capabilities suitable for lighter loads.
Electric Trucks
These EVs are built for heavy-duty tasks and rival traditional trucks in towing capacity:
Electric Trucks | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Model Year |
Chevrolet Silverado EV 3WT | 12,000 | 2024 |
Rivian R1T Dual-Motor AWD Max Pack | 11,001 | 2024 |
Rivian R1T Quad-Motor AWD Large Pack | 11,001 | 2024 |
Tesla Cybertruck AWD | 11,000 | 2024 |
Ford F-150 Lightning | 10,000 | 2022 |
GMC Hummer EV Pickup | 7,500 | 2022 |
Electric SUVs and Sedans
These vehicles, while not primarily designed for towing, still offer respectable capacities for lighter loads:
Electric SUVs/Sedans | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Model Year |
BMW iX xDrive50 | 5,500 | 2022 |
Tesla Model X | 5,000 | 2023 |
Kia EV9 99.8 kWh AWD GT-Line | 5,500 | 2023 |
Audi e-Tron | 4,000 | 2022 |
Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 3,500 | 2022 |
Kia EV6 | 3,500 | 2022 |
Volkswagen ID.4 | 2,700 | 2022 |
Polestar 2 | 2,000 | 2022 |
Tesla Model 3 | 2,000 | 2022 |
2. Effect on Battery Range
Towing with an EV can significantly reduce battery range due to added weight and aerodynamic drag.
Range Impact: Towing may lead to a reduction in range, depending on factors like trailer weight, weather conditions, and terrain.
Additional Variables: Accessory usage (e.g., air conditioning) and driving through hilly or mountainous regions can further affect range.
3. Key Considerations for Towing with an EV
Towing Capacity: Ensure your EV is rated to handle the weight of your trailer and cargo.
Range Planning: Plan your route to include charging stations, and account for extra charging stops and time due to reduced range.
Cooling System: Towing increases the heat generated by the motor and battery. Make sure your EV’s cooling system is up to the task.
Trailer Brakes: For heavier loads, use a trailer equipped with its own braking system to enhance safety.
Regenerative Braking: While regenerative braking recaptures energy during deceleration, its effectiveness is reduced when towing heavier loads.
Overall...
Towing with an EV is entirely possible and often highly capable. By understanding your vehicle’s towing capacity, planning for reduced range, and ensuring proper equipment, you can safely and efficiently tow with confidence. EVs are proving to be powerful, versatile, and eco-friendly towing options that stand up to traditional vehicles.