Electric Cars That Can Tow

Whether you're looking to tow a caravan trailer or boat, there are plenty of electric vehicle options currently on the market that are worth exploring. In this guide, we'll ask whether electric cars are good for towing and which ones are best depending on what you're trying to move.

We'll look at the different options depending on the maximum towing capacity that you're after. There are also some challenges of electric vehicle towing that are worth mentioning before you invest in one of these cars.

Towing With Electric Vehicles - The Basics

Different systems within an EV control the way they work. These are battery electric vehicles, otherwise known as BEV motors, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV).

With lots of EV cars available on the market, you'll be spoilt for choice on what to choose. One of the first electric cars was built by inventor Robert Anderson, who in 1839 brought the EV to life. Of course, it wasn't quite the same as the modern versions that we have now, but those initial steps were integral to the growth of this industry.

Over the years, famous brands like Porsche introduced in 1900 the first-running hybrid electric car. Honda developed the first mass-produced hybrid sold in America in 1999, and Nissan's all-electric car made it to fruition with the 2010 Leaf. Since then, every other car manufacturer has been producing electric motors.

MPGe, Towing & Fuel Mileage

To transition to electric motors for the first time, it's essential to understand some of the terminologies discussed regarding these types of vehicles.

For example, what is MPGe? This rating represents the number of miles the vehicle will be able to travel using a quantity of fuel that has the same energy as one gallon of gasoline. These are certified fuel-mileage figures provided by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). It will help you as an EV shopper to compare the fuel economy of vehicles that use different fuels beyond the measurement of gallons.

This is important to know when finding an electric car with towing capacity because you want to ensure it still runs efficiently when you've got something hooked up to the back of it.

Best Electric Tow Cars/Trucks For Various Budgets

To get the right EV towing option for you, you must opt for the best ones that fit your budget. Not everyone will have hundreds of dollars to spend on a lease, and neither will they necessarily be able to afford to buy a car outright.

In this section, you'll get various options for electric car towing that have been rated highly for being the best compared to all the other electric trucks and cars on the market.

You'll also find a selection that varies in cost to suit every budget. Whether you're looking for an electric pickup truck or something more stylish in the form of a sleek estate or saloon, you'll find it all below.

Towing Capacity Up To 1,500 lbs

With a towing capacity of up to 1,500lbs, the EV towing options below will be most suited for small cargo trailers, teardrop campers, and lightweight inflatables. Let's look at some of the options and their towing capabilities.

__Hyundai Ioniq 5 BEV

For those looking for lower-end, more basic towing capabilities, some great options include the Hyundai Ioniq 5 BEV. This actually offers a 1,650lb towing capacity, but it's a good spot for those looking for something in the 1,500lb category.

The long and stable chassis makes it great for this type of load and has not been neglected in its appearance and performance either. As a car, it's suitable for families, offering a great size for growing broods.

As one of the best for energy-efficient EVs, the combined MPGe score is 256 miles in its AWD trim and 303 miles in its RWD model. Charging is also quick, with the battery level going from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes on a 350kW charger.

__Ford Escape Plug-in PHEV

Starting at just over $35,000, it's an affordable, mid-range option for those after an EV towing vehicle for fairly light loads. The Ford Escape PHEV has a reasonable EV range of around 37 miles.

Not only is it great for towing, but it's also one of the best electric vehicles for offering plenty of storage space with its 60/40 split-fold down seats. When navigating the roads, Ford's safety specs like its Curve Control are great for helping approach corners with care - essential for transporting a heavy load behind you.

Its Plug-in Hybrid 2.5L iVCT Atkinson-Cycle I-4 engine offers a fully charged battery between 10-11 hours. An ideal option for those who charge their cars at home overnight.

__Nissan Ariya BEV

Launched just last year in 2021, the Nissan Ariya BEV is an improved model from the original Nissan Leaf that prompted the wave of other electric vehicles we have now on the market.

This newer model has more power, a better battery capacity, and battery management. It offers ranges from 210 miles up to 285 miles. Offering an EV Towing of 1,635lbs, it sits comfortably in the lower-end category of towing ability.

The Nissan Ariya offers e-4orce technology that provides a unique all-wheel drive. There's perfect balance and control for all weather conditions, making it great for those who see safety as one of their number one concerns in a vehicle.

Towing Capacity Up To 2,000 lbs

Taking a step up in towing capacity, there are several electric cars worth mentioning. These cater to heavy loads like boats and RV campers or cargo trailers. Let's look at the options available for those with a towing capacity of around 2,000lbs.

__Lexus NX 450h+ PHEV

Offering 2,000lbs worth of towing load, the Lexus NX450h+ is a car typically used as a luxury vehicle rather than being known for towing. However, despite its compact SUV features, it offers 37 miles of EPA and offers a great maximum towing capacity that the average person would be happy with.

As one of Lexus' new plug-in hybrids, the four-cylinder 2.5-liter hybrid engine comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a 181.1 kWh battery. With its hybrid engine, you've got the self-charging hybrid power that kicks in once the battery has run out of juice.

There are a number of engine options to choose from, and with a starting price of around $41,000, it's a more luxurious but equally powerful option when looking for your first electric car.

__Polestar 2 BEV

Polestar is a newer car brand to hit the market for many car owners, but they're not completely detached from the market. In fact, they're a part of the Volvo manufacturers. The Polestar brand is growing in popularity for its electrified features and for providing a reasonable 2,000lbs worth of EV towing capacity.

Featuring AWD and an EPA range of 249 miles, it can provide a towing range of 125 miles, providing a good distance if transporting cargo or trailers to somewhere close by or within a certain distance.

It also offers a 150kW fast charging battery meaning you'll get a charge of 10%-80% in just 32 minutes. You'll charge the battery pack fully for at-home charging in around twelve hours.

__Volvo S60__ &__V60 Recharge

Of course, we couldn't just mention the Polestar 2 without mentioning something from the Volvo range. The PHEVs are nothing new for this brand; they have been selling them for many years, and the latest of their PHEVs provide practicality as an electric tow option.

Despite their saloon/estate style bodies, looks can be deceiving. Offering a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs, you'll get enough pulling force to move any light trailer or campervan for your next vacation.

The S60 sedan and V60 wagon provide an EV EPA range of 41 miles, making it an excellent choice for short journeys when needing an electric tow vehicle.

The Volvo S60 is the more affordable option for budget-conscious individuals, with the V60 being around $20k more.

Towing Capacity Up To 3,000 lbs

In order to tow up to 3,000lbs, you're looking for those that can provide extended range battery to cater to the load the vehicle is carrying behind itself. For up to 3,000lb options, a larger camping trailer and a wider range of boats can be towed with the car options below.

__Kia EV6 BEV

The Kia EV6 is a BEV motor that performs similarly to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 mentioned in the 1,500 tow rating capacity. With the EV6, it does provide a step up with a faster 233kW charging rate, which is needed when carrying a towing load of double.

As well as AWD available under its GT Spec. and 577BHP, it's an all-electric crossover that offers up to 300 miles. A good choice for those needing a strong battery for those doing regular towing.

__VW ID.4 BEV

The ID.4 is the first of EV motors to be created by VW and to hit the US. Designed as an electric vehicle, it offers an AWD pro option that can tow and will be available around mid-2022.

With an EPA range of around 249 miles, it's an average to high-end option for those needing a good tow rating that doesn't compromise the mileage too much.

The towing capacity for this one is around 2,700lbs, so an ample amount is needed to transport trailers with half the range offered normally.

__Toyota RAV4 Prime PHEV

The RAV4 Prime offers a plug-in hybrid with a 2.5.L gas engine. With a power output of 302HP, it's a vehicle that does enough to provide speed and range and can also tow up to 2,500 lbs.

Despite its sizeable tow rating, it does provide excellent value for money, available for just over $40,000 starting. With up to $7,500 federal tax credits available, you'll struggle to find a better vehicle that offers such great benefits back when purchasing.

Towing capacity for 4,000 lbs and over

If you're looking for an electric car with the highest towing capacity, this is the category worth paying the most attention to. As there's a lot more within the tow range of 4,000lbs and over, there are a few varying options that cover 4,000lbs but go all the way up to 14,500lbs!

__Fisker Ocean BEV

The Stylish Fisker Ocean is a compact SUV designed by the same person who designed iconic cars such as the Aston Martin DB9. Probably why it's given its name, Henrik Fisker is the brains behind this all-electric, driver-centric vehicle.

Available to reserve for just over $37,000, the Fisker Ocean provides smart traction and has sustainable materials. Offering up to 4,001lbs of towing capacity depending on the model you opt for, it's a great option for those needing a top-of-the-range car with ample towing capabilities.

__Tesla Model X

Anyone who has not been living under a rock for the past few years will recognize the Tesla brand, which has become one of the leaders in providing luxury electric vehicles that deliver on large tow capacities like the Tesla Model X.

The futuristic design of the Tesla Model X, which include rear doors that lift like a supercar, makes for an attractive opportunity for anyone after a car that looks the part and performs extremely well. With up to 5,000lbs of tow capacity, this large seven-seater car is perfect for large families and provides an EPA range of up to 371 miles or 186 miles towing.

__Range Rover (5th Gen) PHEV

The Range Rover is another iconic and reputable brand for large SUV vehicles. As an electric tow, the Range Rover (5th Gen) offers style, performance, and a hefty 5,511lbs of towing opportunity.

As a newer generation, it can provide an EPA-rated EV range of 48 miles.

__Chevrolet Silverado EV BEV

With a towing capacity of up to 10,000lbs, it's certainly a monster vehicle when it comes to electric trucks.

Similar to the GMC Hummer EV, it's one of the smaller electric trucks but still packs a punch. Offering a range of 400 miles, the 200 miles worth of towing make this one a great contender amongst other electric motors on the market.

__Tesla Cybertruck BEV

Another Tesla model is the type of design that you would expect to be something that would appear in Back To The Future. A very cyborg design that's considered to be quite controversial in its EV status. The towing capabilities are where it looks intriguing, offering a staggering 14,500lbs.

With a range predicted to be up to 500+ miles, that's a substantial towing range of 250 miles. It could become the leader in EV towing vehicles if successful in completion.

The Challenges Of Electric Vehicle Towing

What are some of the general challenges with electric trucks and cars, towing on this type of fuel option? The larger the weight, the more the electric motor will need to work harder to power the car itself and anything that it's dragging behind.

With that in mind, it's essential to know what challenges can come with EV towing and whether this should influence your decision on purchasing a motor with an electrified motor.

The power is drained a lot faster

When you carry a significant weight on the back of the car, any fuel mileage you had on average for this vehicle will be reduced by about half. The same will be the case for electric vehicles, whether that's using a gas or diesel engine.

To ensure that the EV is a worthwhile option for charging, the bigger the battery, the better. It also helps if your charging point is a fast charge for getting back onto the road as quickly as possible.

However, even the fastest chargers you'll find at public gas stations will still take more time to refuel than traditional diesel and petrol options.

Fuel efficiency goes out the window

If you're someone who has purchased or is looking to purchase an EV because of it's fuel-efficiency and environmental benefits, you may be at a disadvantage when towing.

Due to the amount of fuel needed to provide effective towing for these vehicles, you will spend more money and contribute more carbon to the environment, particularly with hybrid engines.

There are many contributing factors that lower fuel performance

With any towing scenario, there are a number of factors that could influence the fuel performance and drain the battery quickly. Here are a few considerations to make when it comes to any electric trucks or cars that you're looking to purchase:

Weather conditions

An electric vehicle will work well at around 70 degrees on average. However, if the weather is any hotter or cooler, you will likely notice a significant decline in performance as the vehicle works harder to combat the environment around it.

This could be something to consider if you live in an area that's considerably colder or warmer for most times of the year.

The weight of the trailer

A trailer that has been loaded up to the brim is going to rely on more power from the electric motor. With that in mind, it's best to go lighter where possible or to invest in a car that can carry a heavier load. It's better to be at the lower end of that capacity than the higher end.

The payload of passengers

The number of passengers and additional load you add to the car itself can translate to more weight overall. Another contribution to the motor is having to work harder, which therefore causes more depletion of the battery pack.

Car accessories and tech features

While there are some great cars out there that provide a wealth of accessories and tech features. However, using things like the air conditioning, the heating, and various tech apps on the dashboard contribute to the battery's charge.

Surfaces and terrain

It's important to know that certain surfaces and terrain the car is navigating can contribute to battery drainage. Not only that, but if it's climbing a lot of hills or mountains off-road, that can make the motor work much harder.

More Current And Future EVs That Can Tow

What does the future hold when it comes to more current and future EVs? Despite the challenges that come with EV towing, plenty of electric trucks and tow vehicles are being improved to cater to larger loads and better performance for driving range.

A few examples of these are:

  • Chevrolet Silverado EV (2024) - Expected to launch in 2024, the Chevrolet Silverado is set to be one of the largest in carrying towing loads. With a tow rating of 20,000lbs, that's a significantly larger option compared to the existing ones in the list above.
  • Ford F-150 Lightning (2022) - Launching this year, the Ford-F150 Lightning offers up to 320 miles, a substantial amount before factoring in the towing capacity of which it offers up to 10,000lbs. Add up to 2,000 payloads, and you've got a hefty electric truck.
  • Rivian R1T (2022) - Another EV to grace its presence with us this year is the Rivian R1T. Offering up to 11,000lbs for its tow rating, it's an electric truck you'll be able to rely on for both performance and load carrying, especially for off-road driving.

The Car World Is Going Electric - Climb On Board!

It has to be said that to adapt to the future and the health of our dear planet, and the car industry is moving forward in an electric-centric direction. That said, it may be high time to consider an electric truck for your next vehicle purchase.

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