A few years back, if you would purchase an EV, you would consider it as a secondary vehicle that’s good for small distances. But that has changed now, as the demand is increasing, so are the expectations from these vehicles. Customers expect to travel long distances and do more tasks with their EV or a hybrid. These tasks include using it to tow another vehicle, so we wonder, whether modern cars can meet this task.
First, we will explain why some electric cars and hybrid are not capable of towing. But, if research these vehicles, you would know that only a few are capable of doing this. Even though you are able to attach a tow bar, a majority of them have not got the type approval. That’s a bold claim, as providing an electric vehicle for the same amount as diesel is very uncommon.
There are several reasons for this, from technology to range concerns. But, from the engineering point of view, the biggest factor is mass. The difference between the weights of the petrol Volvo XC40 and its electric version is 527kg. So, if you start adding weight to the already heavy machines, you can over-stressed components like the brakes and transmission.
The majority of the EVs can’t town, but there some that can. Tesla provides the best model in this regard, as its Model X SUV can haul up to 2260kg. The next on the list is Audi E-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQC SUVs, which can pull a trailer up to 1800kg. Its grip levels impressed us as well, especially how well it can turn into corners. But, where you can take this vehicle to get its best, is not clear.
The range is also a factor. If you add extra load, the electricity consumption would increase greatly. This is a big concern for caravan owners, who have to travel far to search the camping locations.