Best electric cars for towing
If you want to hitch up your caravan to your electric car, you'll need to get the right one for the job
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Electric cars for towing
It’s coming to that time of year when you want to hitch your caravan up to your car and set off on your next mobile adventure. That's why plenty of motorists are looking for the best electric cars for towing.
Can an electric car tow a caravan?
There are an ever-increasing number of electric cars on the market that can tow a caravan, especially as electric SUVs gain in popularity.
Like combustion cars, EVs that are homologated (manufactured for towing) will have a maximum towing capacity.
This differs from EV to EV, so we’ve rounded up some of the best electric cars that can tow a caravan for you.
BMW iX
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The iX is BMW’s flagship EV, and it’s an incredibly powerful car with loads of towing potential. Space, size, luxury – it’s all there.
The iX has a towing capacity of 2,500kg (all versions), which is at the very top end of electric tow cars.
It also has one of the longest ranges on offer – depending on the model and battery size you opt for, you can get between 264 and 380 miles of range.
It’s an expensive car, but the refinement and silent driving experience – as well as the cabin space – make it a perfect family EV.
We particularly love how user-friendly the minimalistic interior setup is, which features a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Handily, the iX also rapid-charges up to 200kW too, so fast top-ups are simple.
Even better - there are plenty of used BMW options on the market if you want to make some savings
Read our BMW iX review
Mercedes EQC
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For a large SUV, a used Mercedes EQC is a competitive tower that’s a great option if you want to switch up your petrol or diesel Mercedes for an eco-friendly version.
It has a towing capacity of 1,800kg, so while it doesn’t match up to the similarly-sized Tesla Model X for towing capacity, it’s a more affordable premium option.
The real-world efficiency of the EQC is impressive too, with it maximising its range (260 miles) much better than the Audi e-tron even though the e-tron (230 miles) has a bigger battery.
It’s a very comfortable, dependable drive with the classically smart and stylish interior you’d expect of a Mercedes.
Standard on-board tech like head-up display, wireless phone charging, Hey Mercedes voice control and the Mercedes Me Charge app make day-to-day owning of the EQC a doddle too.
Read our Mercedes EQC review
Hyundai IONIQ 5
 "Hyundai IONIQ 5 driving")
The IONIQ 5 is a rare thing – an electric hatchback that can tow, and considering it’s only a mid-sized hatchback as well, its 1,600kg towing capacity is surprisingly decent.
It’s also one of the more affordable towing EVs, with prices starting at around £12,000 on the used market.
We particularly like how it can charge from 10% to 80% in around 18 minutes, which means you can save time stopping off to top up the battery on long drives.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 also has a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capacity of up to 3.6kW (16 Amps), which is the same as a normal caravan service post in a campsite. This means you can caravan or camp off-grid if you want!
Read our Hyundai IONIQ 5 review
Kia EV6
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The Kia EV6 is one of the most popular EVs in the UK, and it’s not hard to see why.
The EV6 is built on a similar platform to its sister brand’s IONIQ 5, so it also has a 1,600kg towing capacity.
The EV6 has that sporty, swooping coupé roofline that brings fun and stylish looks to SUV towing.
If you get the GT line then performance is just as sporty, living up to the looks by nailing 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds.
EV6 models rapid-charge up to 221kW while the long-range version charges up to 233kW – faster than its nearest rival, the Tesla Model Y.
The EV6 charges faster than competitors like the Skoda Enyaq EV or VW ID.4, has more towing capacity, and equal if not greater range.
In our eyes, it’s by far one of the best-looking electric towing cars too, and we like bringing some glamour to towing.
Read our Kia EV6 review
Polestar 2
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The Polestar 2 is generally seen as an EV that car enthusiasts can get onboard with.
It has a towing capacity of 1,500kg and you can choose between the Standard Range/Single Motor or the Long Range/Dual Motor. This means the Polestar 2 either has a 215-mile range or a 265-mile range.
It’s a well-designed five-door hatchback that’s fit for family life. Both inside and out, it’s stylish and clean without being too minimalistic, and the high ride height makes it a practical car for towing.
The Polestar is performance-based so it’s a brilliant drive, but it maintains the high standard of build, comfort and quality you’d expect of the Swedish Volvo-inspired brand.
Read our Polestar 2 review
Genesis GV70 Electrified
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The Genesis GV70 Electrified is the new kid on the block. Genesis is a Korean brand that many people mistake for Bentley, and while its GV70 features cutting-edge technology and top-end opulence, it’s not as dear as some of the most expensive luxury options.
The GV70 is a large car – you can fit a family of five in with room to spare and in maximum comfort.
Stats are impressive too: 283-mile range; charging of 10% to 80% in 18 minutes; and 0-62mph in 4.2 seconds. There’s even a Boost mode that gives you extra power and acceleration.
We rate this glamorous towing machine for its head-turning looks and its towing capacity of 1,800kg. It really is an all-rounder.
Read our Genesis GV70 review
Tesla Model Y
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Many people consider the Tesla Model Y as a larger version of the uber-popular Model 3, but the Y has a higher towing capacity.
You can tow up to 1,600kg and because it’s taller than the hatchback 3, loading and unloading the car is easier.
You get three variant choices, with the Long Range offering 331 miles of range. The Model Y is one of the best mid-size electric SUVs for adventurous towers that need to cover max miles without stopping.
It’s a very fun drive too, with a low centre of gravity and sports car handling, and adjustable one-pedal drive makes driving very relaxing too.
The boot is big with 845 litres to play with, and the cabin feels extremely roomy because of the huge panoramic glass roof and the minimal interior.
And, of course, you get loads of technology preloaded with kid-friendly entertainment like sketch pads, whoopie cushion sound effects, and Disney+ to name a few. The Model Y delivers towing and a whole lot more.
Tesla Model X
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The Tesla Model X is one of the most distinguishable cars in the world. It’s futuristic, with those falcon doors and unconventional shape, and as an electric towing car, its 2,250kg capacity makes it a real powerhouse.
This towing EV also has the option of seven seats, which makes it one of the best choices for large families. The total luggage volume is 2,487 litres, which is the same as the Land Rover Discovery.
For the Plaid model, you get a huge 340 miles of range, but the Long Range model manages even more with a whopping 360 miles.
Add Tesla Supercharging to this, 0-62 in 2.5 seconds and the beautifully smooth drive, and the Model X is no ordinary electric family SUV.
There’s plenty of fun to be had with this car too. Just check out the ‘Celebration Mode’, when the falcon doors perform a routine to loud music. It’s quite something.
Audi e-tron
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The Audi e-tron SUV is one of the best starter EVs for anyone ready to make the transition to electric.
It comes with a 1,800kg towing capacity and is one of the most traditional SUVs when it comes to electric offerings.
It’s very comfortable, with a spacious cabin for five people, and it slots in between the combustion Q5 and Q7 in size, so you can see how much room you’ve got to play with. The boot alone is 605 litres, which is more than the Audi Q8.
The e-tron comes with top safety tech like lane departure warning, cruise control and Parking Plus systems. You also get Isofix mounts all around – perfect for families with young kids.
The maximum range is less than some towing EVs, with a claimed range of 196 miles, but the e-tron top-spec models like the GT can charge from 5% to 80% in around 22 minutes, so you can top up very quickly when needed.
Towing with an electric car
We know that towing a caravan can reduce the fuel efficiency of a fuel-powered car, but it can also reduce the electric range of an EV.
This means that you might not be able to cover as many miles while towing a caravan, and may have to recharge your electric car more regularly.
This shouldn't be an issue in the UK - most service stations now have electric charging points and you can find them at campsites and other locations, too.
Just keep that in mind when getting on the road, as you don't want to be surprised to see your mile dropping more than usual when you've got a heavy load attached.