Can an electric car pull a trailer?

[KatyMac]

If so which ones? And how heavy can the trailer be?

Too many variables, you will need to Google

Well yes I can - but I was hoping a Mnetter or 2 might say "oh I've got an XX that pulls YY"

Join UK electric vehicle owners group on Facebook. They will tell you all you need to know.

I don't think mine (leaf) has a towbar. I am only 80% sure about that

You could ask on the Speak EV forum or Pistonheads. Also there are several articles from a quick Google e.g. www.carbuyer.co.uk/tips-and-advice/160343/towing-with-an-electric-car-hybrid-or-plug-in-hybrid

My Renault Zoe can’t - I think that Tesla’s are the only ones in uk at present that can. But not 100% sure.

Thanks guys

It's a start - It's not going to be straight forward, is it?

To be honest, we did two holidays in our leaf then at my insistence we got a second hand car we use just for holidays (a Honda something or other with six seats). We did try holidaying in the Leaf - West Wales and back twice but taking all day to get there with several 40 minute stops with two young kids and all our stuff was a challenge though. Our leaf is perfect for most journeys we do though (I.e. local ones) and I do love it. I have never towed a trailer in any car though I know someone who used to and they had an Ocatavia.

Interesting - thank you

When we were looking, only Teslas were approved for towing, and then only the Model X and 3. Even the Jaguar electric SUV can't.

At the moment, it's a bit of a deal breaker for us as we tow big trailers often, and for long distances. I ended up buying a diesel 4x4 instead.

Eek that sounds expensive!

Ours is an MG electric, we did ask about trailers and the dealership thought not, although we have another car with a tow bar for our caravan. When we come to replace the diesel we're hoping there will be a decent full electric than can tow but I think it's a bit early for it yet.

We've got a Tesla model 3 and DH says it can pull 1 ton. Model X can pull a lot more.

What we found is that towing really hits the range on an electric car, even with the big Teslas.

Thanks - I base my business on eco/sustainability

I'm really going to have to think about my next vehicle - there doesn't seem to be a simple option

Have a look at hybrids.

There is a question about electrics and their genuine damage to the environment. The new method of testing for all vehicles (WLTP) now puts electric co2 g/km at far higher than diesels and petrols. Also tyre pollution is huge as the batteries aren't light.

I have a friend who is into the eco stuff. He raves about electric cars.

But he has kept his old petrol car to pull the trailer and to put the bikes on the roof of, when they go camping.

I'm really going to have to think about my next vehicle - there doesn't seem to be a simple option

We will probably switch to a small electric for commuting and keep a 4x4 for towing. It won't be as convenient as being able to tow with all the cars but definitely doable.

@SamanthaStripyPants do you have a link for those figures out of interest?

Unfortunately it's data in the vehicle data system we use at work. I can't link to it as such. I will have a look and see if I can see something along those lines that I can share. It's the new WLTP way of getting co2. A 330e for example was 260g/km where the 320d was around 170 from memory. Let me get it.

We only need one car - so maybe we can offset the less sustainable car against only having one car not 2

www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/environment/2020/03/06/tyre-pollution-1000-times-worse-than-tailpipe-emissions

www.fleetnews.co.uk/news/fleet-industry-news/2017/09/20/plug-in-hybrid-vehicles-among-the-highest-polluting-company-cars

Manufacturer websites are also a good place to get co2 and mpg data from and compare the various fuel types.

Electrics have no co2. I meant PHEVs not BEVs.

Ah OK, yes, hyrbrids are better for lots of short journeys when charged lots not long ones where they are using fuel.

Exactly! @Emmapeeler1 but how many people only do the electric journeys? And some are so short that all journeys will be fossil fuelled. Last I heard 50% of cars were fleet cars. The joke is that they get PHEVs or PiH for the low BIK and keep the leads still in the plastic wallet in the boot.

The outlander for example was something like 29 miles. I could get to work and back, charge it all night and get to work and back again. Or charge it all day at work on their bill. I don't have solar panels. We are using less and less fossil fuels at power station BUT mostly it's fossil fuels powering them just not in petrol or diesel form.

The caravan club often do such reviews. If I remember rightly there are one or two- but the weight of the trailer was minuscule. The reviews maybe online. You will need to know the kerb side weight of the vehicle etc etc should all be in the manufacture specification report. From memory it is recommend that you do not exceed 85% of the weight when towing. Some people do exceed it but check Insurance’s. From there you can calculate laden weight of the trailer that is towable. But you will then need to factor in the nose weight of the trailer and the tow bar weight allowed. Sounds a lot more complicated than it really is.