Towing with an EV

[oilydan]

As part of the research into whether to get an EV I need to look at towing - not being towed when it runs out of juice, but actually pulling something with it.

OK, so you are not going to be able to drag a caravan across the country, but is it possible to get a hitch fitted to pull a small trailer full of junk to the local dump?

[jkh112]

Not a pure EV, but a lot of outlander PHEV owners tow caravans without any trouble.

[Xtriple129]

I have a Honda Insight and it's a definite no-no! Battery pack under the boot floor...

[Jimbo.]

Depends on the car more so that the means of propulsion. As has been said, the Outlander PHEV can tow: not sure on the weight: it's 500kg less than the diesel Outlander, that's all I can recall! The guys at my work tow small box trailers quite happily with them. Range suffers a bit obviously, but the low down pull of the motor and tb smooth fuss-free pull-away really help aparrently.

[oilydan]

I wonder if Renault do a hitch for the Zoe?

[vladcjelli]

I'm pretty certain from looking through the manual when we first got our Leaf that roof boxes and towing are not permitted.

Probably the same case with the Zoe, but someone will be able to check their book for you

[strudel]

No go with towing on a Zoe - max is towing weight is "unallowed" according to the brochure

[oilydan]

B***eration and f**kery

Back to the drawing board then.

[cootuk]

Some aren't even EU type approved for a tow hitch, so you can't get one fitted and legally use it

[scubadude]

The Tesla Model X launch showed it towing a "5000lb trailer" (Airstream type caravan) FWIW.

[RKDE]

When I was looking for my next car at the start of the year I had to have a car which could tow and tow a good amount.

Nearly all my trips are within the PHEV 30 odd mile range and whilst on longer trips I have used the engine I try to keep it EV where possible
Taking out hobby cars to tuners, body shops etc I have been able to tow both cars without the need for the engine and just on EV. I enjoy towing on EV, at slow speeds it is very relaxing though and being electric the torque is there when you need it.

The PHEV tows very well and I am pleased with it, I have found a few hills need a bit of momentum but other than that it works well. I was worried about down hill with re-gen holding the car back causing the trailer to move around but it is very controlled

Only gripe is I wish it had 100 mile range for when I want to go further... I am more convinced the next car will be a pure EV if there is something that can tow again.

Edited by RKDE on Tuesday 27th October 22:07

[ds666]

Tesla X confirmed as having a 2300kg towing capability .

[oop north]

ds666 said:

Tesla X confirmed as having a 2300kg towing capability .

Wonder how much the range will fall when you use it

[scubadude]

oop north said:

Wonder how much the range will fall when you use it

Wonder how much more regen braking you get with 2300kg trailer?

[oop north]

I am guessing the brakes On the trailer will scupper that

[anonymous-user]

thread revival!

Ford suggests its all electric f-150 can pull a bit of gear

https://twitter.com/Ford/status/115374169374264934...

[SpikeBmth]

The USA spec model 3 has a towing option, not sure about the UK spec tho

[CQ8]

Our Model X towed our small rib and launched it off the slipway no problem!

[Dave Hedgehog]

CQ8 said:

Our Model X towed our small rib and launched it off the slipway no problem!

just keep the car well away from the water

but the model x is a pretty decent tow car

https://vimeo.com/253258542

[Digga]

Little known faction alert. Jaguar weren't going to put a tow hitch option onto the I Pace until someone pointed out the need for one in Norway, one of the biggest EV markets in Europe; everyone has to tow their bins to the collection points.