Can Electric Cars Tow a Caravan?

Electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming more prominent on forecourts and driveways. As we edge closer to the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles – currently set for 2035 – drivers are weighing up options as to what car they should buy next, with many looking to the more environmentally friendly form of transport than ever before. Of course, electric vehicles offer different attributes to petrol-powered cars, and this is something that needs to be considered. One such feature is the towing capacity. Where your petrol car easily helped you move a caravan from one place to another, could the electric vehicle equivalent do the same? In many cases, yes. Electric cars can tow a caravan, but you’ll find that this isn’t necessarily an even playing field. Some electric vehicles wouldn’t be able to cope with such a tow whilst others can manage easily.

In this blog, we look at towing your caravan with an electric car so you can find the right model before you plan your next trip.

Can an electric car tow a caravan?

Yes, and no. Certain older models of electric cars can’t cope with the additional weight of a caravan and even if they can, the battery depletes rapidly as the vehicle struggles to pull this additional weight behind it.

Thankfully for caravanners, day trippers and explorers, manufacturers are constantly developing the capabilities of their electric vehicles. This has seen an increase in the number of electric cars that can tow a caravan. Serial innovator Elon Musk and his Tesla company have kept caravans in mind throughout production with many models having sufficient towing capacity to see a caravan join you on the journey. Regardless, even if the towing capacity is more than adequate, the added weight will put a strain on the vehicle and reduce how much mileage you’ll get from a full charge.

Perhaps worth noting is that some electric cars don’t even state a towing capacity making it harder for you to know if the capability exists in the first place.

What does towing capacity mean?

If you plan to use an electric car to tow a caravan, you’ll need to know if it’s up to the job. Most petrol and diesel vehicles will have their towing capacity documented; many electric vehicles are now following suit too. The towing capacity simply shows the load that can be safely pulled along by your car. You’ll see two common towing capacities recorded in a car. One for its braked towing capacity and one for its unbraked towing capacity.

Braked towing capacity

This is the maximum weight your car can tow if the vehicle being towed has its own braking system.

Unbraked towing capacity

This is the maximum weight your car can tow if the vehicle being towed does not come equipped with its own braking system.

You’ll also have the Gross Train Weight (GTW) to factor in. This is the maximum weight of the vehicle, passengers, what’s being towed and any cargo. If this is exceeded, you could cause significant damage to both the car and caravan. You’ll also find yourself on the wrong side of the law as exceeding GTW is actually illegal.

Why can’t some electric cars tow a caravan?

The reasons an electric car cannot tow a caravan vary but sometimes, it can simply come down to the fact that it was either not submitted for towing approval or it never gained it. You should note that for many models, tow bars exist, but the electric car is not approved for towing. Should you try to tow a caravan with such a vehicle, you could find yourself in trouble.

Some of the reasons certain electric cars are not submitted for or didn’t gain approval to tow include:

• Excessive motor strain. With the increased load, the vehicle may be put under unnecessary strain causing damage to the vehicle and possibly leading to accidents.
• Damage to the EV systems. Electric cars are smart bits of kit and are programmed with various features. Regenerative braking is one such system that helps improve performance. It uses this by factoring in the vehicle’s weight. Adding more weight when the system isn’t able to account for this could cause faults with the car.
• Brake performance. Electric vehicles weigh more than their combustion engine counterparts. A 2019 1.5lt VW Golf with a petrol engine comes in at 1,280kg, its electric equivalent tops the scales at 1,615kg for example. This means the brakes naturally have to work harder. Now add the weight of a caravan and you could see brakes failing or not working as they should.

So, whilst these reasons may hinder an electric car from being suitable for towing a caravan, many manufacturers have gained approval, and drivers are seeing both advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of towing a caravan with an electric car

Many drivers may in fact say that towing a caravan with an electric car is a much better driving experience than using a petrol or diesel equivalent.

One favourite feature for many is the torque. With an electric car, there are no gears so maximum torque is available right from the off. This makes starting from a standstill extremely simple and navigating hills an easy task. With a heavy load attached. You don’t want to be struggling to get moving at any time. This makes for a smoother drive and one that will make you feel much safer on the road.

Just remain aware of the capabilities of your electric car. Attempting to tow a huge caravan with a relatively small car could see you struggle to complete the journey and cause substantial damage to the vehicle.

Another advantage is the use of regenerative braking. As you pull the heavy load around, you’ll require more effort to slow down. With the regenerative system as well as conventional brakes, stopping or slowing is so much easier.

An advantage of a different kind is of course the environmental one. Where a long journey in a petrol car could see you spew vast emissions into the air, the electric car will do no such thing. With the rise in low-emission zones and clean air zones, it’s becoming more cost-efficient to use an electric car if you have to pass through many of these designated areas to get where you need to be.

Disadvantages of towing a caravan with an electric car

Of course, where there are advantages, there are always disadvantages too. In the case of an electric car towing a caravan, there are a few to be aware of.

Charging is perhaps the biggest bugbear of all EV owners. Whilst manufacturers are constantly refining their vehicles and improving performance, you may inevitably need a stop or two before you arrive where you need to be. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; everyone likes a quick stretch of the legs. The problem is, it isn’t always going to be quick and charging stations may not always be available. You could be charging for as little as half an hour or as long as several hours when you find one too. Much depends on the capabilities of the charging station and your EV.

You’ll also have to factor in the cost. Charging an electric vehicle can work out more expensive than filling a petrol car. Especially when there is extra weight to carry, which reduces the range of a full charge.

How far can an electric car tow a caravan?

The mileage you’ll get from an electric vehicle will depend on a host of factors. The car will have an optimal range, but this is based on the car being used “as is”. When you start to tow something, that optimal range reduces. It’s been estimated that you could see a reduction in the range by as much as 40-60% when you tow a caravan with an electric car.

The distance you can cover may also be affected by not only the range of the car and the added weight but also the aerodynamics of the caravan. Just like wind resistance can make driving any vehicle more challenging, it affects EVs too. A sleek car and caravan will give you more rage than a boxy, high-walled caravan.

Where you drive will also play a part. Driving faster for longer will see the battery deplete quickly and navigating rough terrain or hilly areas could also see the vehicle lose some of its range.

To help keep things running to their best capabilities, drive at lower speeds, use your regenerative braking and plan when to stop and charge.

In summary, electric cars can tow a caravan and offer a fantastic option for your next trip. You just need to remain aware of the towing capacity and the range of a full charge when your car is towing a caravan.

If you already own an electric vehicle and have been unsure whether you could hitch a caravan to it but now feel more confident, why not look at caravan finance with us? We are specialists in organising affordable finance for drivers of all ages and credit ratings. In fact, helping those with poor credit secure finance is a specialty of ours. Why not contact our team today to secure your caravan finance quote?