Some EV skeptics dismiss electric cars because they believe they’re not capable of towing. But that’s not the case. While it’s true that many electric cars do not tow, as they were designed to maximise range for passengers only, there are also many electric cars that are designed to tow, and able to pull the sort of significant weights you might need them to.
Below we will run through a range of the best towing electric cars on the market currently, with the weights they can tow. And if you need a reference for weights, then smaller 2 and 4 berth caravans tend to weigh between 800kg and 1300kg, and larger 4 to 6 berth caravans typically weigh between 1300kg and 1800kg, and beyond, but this varies depending on manufacturer and age.
And we’ll start with the best, and run down to other great options, which may also be more affordable.
The BMW iX
The BMW iX is the new flagship EV SUV for BMW. It’s hailed as a tech masterpiece in many reviews, while public opinion is mixed on its design, especially the front grille, with some loving it, and others not so much. However, when it comes to towing, this is the new EV king.
The BMW iX can tow at up to 2,500 kg, which is very impressive indeed. That’s the average weight of an adult hippo. Seriously. And as such, it should be able to take any caravan or large load, within reason.
The range of the BMW iX is also excellent, with the official WLTP range figure for the xDrive50 being up to 380 miles, and 257 for the xDrive 40, while more realistically, according to EV database, the real-world range for these models are more likely to be around 315 miles and 215 miles respectively.
While the estimated towing range (50%) is 158 miles and 108 miles. That’s rather good for an EV, or more to the point, it currently seems to be the best available towing capability for any EV in the UK right now.
And while towing obviously reduces range, and therefore requires more frequent charging for long trips, the BMW iX can manage up to 200kW charging for the xDrive50, and up to 150kW charging for the xDrive40. So if you can find those high kW charge points, it can make a huge difference to your charge stops.
There are some electric vehicles on the horizon that will beat the iX’s heavyweight towing capabilities, such as the Rivian R1T and Rivian R1S, and Bollinger B1 and B2, which are due to have towing capabilities of a whopping 3,500kg (the same as a Land Rover Discovery, which has been a conventional combustion engine leader in towing), however these are not set to be released in the UK until 2022+. And beyond these towing figures, is the Tesla Cybertruck (with a claimed towing capability of a staggering, jaw-dropping, almighty 4,500kg), however, these are likely to only be available in the UK in 2022, or more likely in 2023 etc., and the actual real-life towing capability is yet to be seen. So for now, the BMW iX is the towing champ.
Tesla Model X
After the BMW iX, the next best is the Tesla Model X, with a towing capability of 2,250 kg, which is very close to the BMW iX, and offers full capability in terms of towing a large family caravan etc.
The Model X is a large seven-seater AWD SUV that has been on sale since 2016 in the UK. With various revisions and upgrades, the real-world range and towing range differs depending on the spec, with the latest versions having a real-world range of around 280-290 miles (and around 140 miles while towing).
The Tesla Model X is also slightly cheaper than the BMW iX.
Audi E-Tron 50/55 Quattro
The Audi e-tron 50/55 Quattro also offers great towing capability for real-life adventure and holiday needs, by offering a towing capacity of 1,800kg, which is the weight of a heavy 4-6 person berth caravan.
The e-tron range is a selection of large SUVs which Audi designed from the ground up as EV’s. With large 71kW and 95kW batteries, the e-tron line up was created to be a practical long-range electric tow car. However, the towing range can be a little lower than the competition. The real-world range of the models is estimated at 175 miles (50 Quattro) and 230 miles (Sportback 55 Quattro), while the estimated towing range (50%) is around 88 miles (50 Quattro) and 115 miles (55 Quattro).
Mercedes EQC 400 4MATIC
The Mercedes EQC is the first fully electric SUV from Mercedes, and also offers towing capability of up to 1,800kg. Again, a large 4-6 person caravan weight.
One size of battery is currently available (80kW) and the range and efficiency of the EQC is very good. This makes the EQC a compelling premium electric tow car that closely matches the Audi e-tron. So your final decision, if it’s between these two, might come down to personal brand preference, or any other key stats or tech inclusions that are most important to you.
BMW i4
The BMW i4 sets us off on a list of 3 cars that have a towing capacity of 1,600kg, which is the weight of a large 4 to 6 berth caravan, or about the weight of three thoroughbred horses.
The BMW i4 is a ‘Gran Coupé’, which basically means while it has 4 doors, the roofline slopes back, and it has a hatchback boot.
This model also offers fantastic range of up to 365 miles WLTP for the M50 version (280 miles real-world range according to EV database), which sets it apart from the next two options below, along with a range of amazing safety and semi-autonomous driving tech.
The estimated towing range (50%) is 148 Miles for the eDrive40, and 140 Miles for the M50. While both versions come with a maximum and very useful 200 kW charging capability.
Kia EV6
The KIA EV6 shares the same platform as the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and both vehicles have the same towing capacity of 1,600kg (the average weight of a large 4 to 6 berth caravan) and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities. However, the KIA EV6 has a slightly larger battery pack and can charge at a might 250 kW rate.
Hyundai IONIQ 5
While Hyundai previously produced a car called the Ioniq, the IONIQ 5 is the first from-the-ground-up EV from the brand. It can tow 1,600kg, the same as the Kia EV6, which is the equivalent to a large 4-6 person caravan.
It also has an impressive 232 kW fast/rapid charging capability, for quick top-ups. And like the Kia, it’s at the more accessible or affordable end of the EV spectrum, with a good range.
Volvo XC Recharge
The Volvo XC40 Recharge is the full EV version of the very popular and award-winning internal combustion XC40, and it can tow 1,500kg, which would manage a large caravan, and/or camping equipment you might have.
The Recharge shares the same battery and motors as the Polestar 2, but with a lower range of 259 miles (real-world range around 200 miles). Therefore, the estimated 50% towing range is around 100 miles, with the maximum charge rate at 150 kW.
Polestar 2
The Polestar brand is a subsidiary of Volvo with the Polestar 2 being their first full-electric car based on a fastback design. The Polestar 2 shares the same EV platform as the Volvo XC40 Recharge, and it can also tow 1,500kg.
The Polestar 2 features AWD and a WLTP range of 273 miles (real range estimated at 245 miles) and a predicted 50% towing range of 117 miles or so, with 150 kW fast charging.
Audi Q4 e-tron
The Audi Q4 e-tron, driven by the likes of Prince Harry, can tow a very respectable 1,200kg, which could manage a medium-weight 4 person caravan, so him and Meghan and the kids can go on a lovely caravan holiday whenever they fancy.
The Audi Q4 e-tron has an official range of 317 miles, which gives a real-world range of 255 miles (for the 40 version), which translates to an estimated towing range (50%) of 128 miles.
Find the car that’s right for you
These options above are some of the best choices currently available in the UK for towing, but you can find many other electric cars that tow, and you can find out what every electric car tows (or doesn’t) on each model page.
You can use our EV Finder search tool here, to help you explore other electric cars based on your other needs and preferences, should you need some inspiration or direction.
