Only three years ago the only EV on the market that could tow was the Tesla Model X.

Fast-forward to now and at least three in five new EVs can tow, covering a spectrum of towing capacity.

So, as it almost becomes expected that new electric SUVs and estates can tow, what do you need to know about towing with an EV? How is it different to towing with a petrol or diesel?

Here's our guide to towing with an EV to make your next load-lugging drive easy.

Can EVs tow?

Last year What Car? Found surveyed 1,052 drivers and found that two in five didn't think an EV was capable of pulling a trailer or caravan at all.

As we've already covered, EVs can tow but not all electric vehicles are certified to tow, as is the same with fuel engine cars.

While EV towing is improving rapidly and EVs can now tow heavy loads, they can't quite match the fuel cars with the highest towing capacity (3,500kg).

The EVs with the highest towing capacity currently on the market are capped at 2,500kg.

Always make sure you check the maximum weight you can tow beforehand.

Does towing affect range?

There's no doubt that towing has a depletive effect on range. 

Arval UK found last year that towing will reduce an EV's range by 23 to 31 per cent against the real-world figure.

This can increase to 50 per cent when towing a heavier load.

The heavier weight decreases efficiency (more energy is required from the battery) and therefore reduces range, which means you'll have to plan your journeys with the shorter range in mind.

And because towing also reduces the efficiency of regenerative braking, and it's recommended to turn regen off, range is further compromised.

But it's worth remembering that towing also decreases a petrol or diesel vehicle's fuel economy – roughly 2 per cent every 45kg.

The benefits of towing with an EV 

Essentially electric cars don't have gears with means that towing with an EV is a very smooth driving experience, and a lot easier than a manual, even if the trailer or caravan is very heavy.

And electric cars are naturally more suited for towing than petrol or diesel cars because they have instant torque at any speed.

Towing with an EV is also much quieter than with a fuel car due to the lack of engine noise and noise cancelling cabins many EVs have.

And of course there's the zero tailpipe emissions benefit too.

The disadvantages of towing with an EV

Because of the range drop an EV experiences when towing, you will need to plan your journey accordingly, and charge more often which can be a drawback.

If an EV has regenerative braking the system can undergo strain from the heavy weight of a trailer, so disengaging regen is recommended.

While EV towing capacity is getting better, it's still behind fuel car capacity. Currently EVs can tow up to 2,500kg, but some fuel cars can tow up to an extra 1,000kg.

Tips for towing with an EV and maximising range

There are a few things you can do to maximise your range.

If you reduce your speed this will help improve energy consumption because there will be less wind resistance, and so you can eek out range a bit more.

And in the same way you'd remove unnecessary weight to help fuel consumption, if you want to max out the range then remove any items you don't need from your caravan or trailer.

BEST EVS FOR TOWING  

Audi Q8 e-tron

Price: from £72,235

The Audi isn't a cheap caravan-pulling family motor. The luxury SUV - which has a range of up to 330 miles on a single charge - starts at an eye-watering £72,000. 

Genesis GV70

Price: from £65,105

If you don't know this brand, Genesis is the premium marque in the Hyundai Motor Group and specialises in electrified models. 

The Genesis GV70 SUV can tow 1,800kg but it isn't what you'd call cheap, ringing in at over £65,000 for a spacious SUV with 283 miles of range between charges. 

Kia EV6 GT

Price: from £62,645

The EV6 GT is the more potent variant of the Kia EV6 - the model What Car? deemed worthy of the 2023 award for best electric tow car. It also boasts a 263-mile range. 

While the standard model can pull up to 1,600kg in weight, the GT version has capacity to tow up to 1,800kg. Starting at £62,645, that additional pulling power over the conventional EV6 does come at a rather hefty cost.

Mercedes-Benz EQA (300/350 variants)

Price: from £53,010

Only the EQA 300 and 350 4Matic variants have the higher towing capacity of 1,800kg, meaning you have to pay in excess of £53,000 if you want to haul something behind your electric Mercedes SUV.

With a range of between 260 and 268 miles, expect this to come down somewhat if you have something heavy hitched. 

Mercedes-Benz EQC

Price: from £74,330

The EQC is no different from all the other expensive EVs on the list, with a starting price of £74,330 and a range of just 254 miles between charges. 

That gets you 1,800kg of towing capacity. 

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

Price: from £129,470

You'll need for fork out almost £130,000 if you want this caravan-pulling EV. That's because it's Mercedes' version of a jacked-up luxury limo - the EQS SUV.

Crammed with tech and pure luxury, it can tow up to 1,800kg. 

Volvo C40 Recharge (Twin variant)

Price: from £59,750

Volvo's latest all-electric compact SUV is the svelte C40 Recharge. 

Only the twin-motor variants - offering a range of 273 miles - have the full 1,800kg lugging capacity, which means prices start from just under £60,000.

Volvo XC40 Recharge (Twin variant)

Price: from £61,855

The more practical option to the C40 Recharge is Volvo's XC40 Recharge. Again, you will need to move up to the twin-motor variants to get 1,800 of maximum towing capacity.

This costs start from almost £62,000.