Roundup

EV Towing Capacity

A large number of electric vehicles are rated for towing.

November 30, 2024       14 min read
caravan 1

List of EVs by tow capacity

Please check with the manufacturer for the most up-to-date details.

VehicleBraked kgUnbraked kgPrice
BMW iX 40 Sport 2,500750$159,900
BMW iX 50 2,500750$207,800
BMW iX M60 2,500750$242,500
Kia EV9 Earth 2,500750$89,990
Kia EV9 GT-Line 2,500750$99,990
Audi Q6 e-tron S line quattro 2,400750$155,990
Polestar 3 Dual 2,200750$184,990
Polestar 3 Performance 2,200750$194,990
BMW i7 xDrive60 2,000750$289,500
BMW i5 M60 xDrive 2,000750$196,600
Porsche Macan Electric 2,000750$161,800
Porsche Macan Turbo Electric 2,000750$224,900
Polestar 4 Dual 2,000750$129,990
BMW i5 M60 Touring 2,000750$201,900
Audi Q6 e-tron Advanced 2,000750$134,990
Porsche Macan 4 Electric 2,000750$168,400
Porsche Macan 4S Electric 2,000750$182,500
Kia EV6 GT 1,800750$129,900
Volvo C40 Ultimate 1,800750$107,900
Volvo XC40 Ultimate 1,800750$104,990
Audi Q8 e-tron 55 1,800750$166,490
Audi SQ8 e-tron Sportback 1,800750$207,900
Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 SUV 1,800750$196,500
Mercedes-Benz EQE AMG 53 SUV 1,800750$199,900
Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 SUV 1,800750$149,900
Audi Q8 e-tron 55 S line 1,800750$181,900
Hyundai IONIQ 5 72 2WD 1,600750$89,990
Kia EV6 Air Long Range 1,600750$64,490
Tesla Model Y Long Range 1,600750$75,900
Tesla Model Y Performance 1,600750$86,900
Kia EV6 GT-Line 1,600750$111,990
Hyundai IONIQ 5 72 AWD 1,600750$97,990
Kia EV6 Earth 1,600750$99,990
Tesla Model Y 1,600750$65,900
BMW i4 M50 1,600750$144,100
BMW i4 eDrive40 1,600750$115,000
Hyundai IONIQ 5 77 Limited 1,600750$117,990
BMW i4 eDrive35 1,600750$98,900
Volvo EX30 Twin 1,600750$74,990
Polestar 2 (2023) 1,500750$54,990
Polestar 2 Long Range Dual (2023) 1,500750$71,990
LDV eDeliver 3 1,500750$59,990
LDV eDeliver 9 1,500750$69,990
Volvo XC40 Recharge 1,500750$89,900
Volvo C40 Recharge 1,500750$92,990
Polestar 2 Long Range (2024) 1,500750$89,900
Polestar 2 Long Range Dual (2024) 1,500750$109,990
Hyundai IONIQ 6 77 RWD 1,500750$94,990
Hyundai IONIQ 6 77 Limited 1,500750$124,990
Hyundai IONIQ 6 77 Elite 1,500750$104,990
BYD Seal Dynamic 1,500750$61,990
BYD Seal Premium 1,500750$69,990
BYD Seal Performance 1,500750$81,990
Polestar 2 Dual Performance (2024) 1,500750$119,990
Nissan Ariya Evolve 1,500750$89,990
Polestar 4 Single 1,500750$119,990
KGM Torres EVX 1,500500$59,990
Polestar 3 Single 1,500750$169,990
Volvo EX30 Single 1,400750$64,990
Kia EV5 Light + 1,250750$70,450
Kia EV5 Light 1,250750$67,990
Kia EV5 Earth AWD 1,250750$80,450
Kia EV5 GT-Line 1,250750$85,450
Kia EV5 Earth 1,250750$75,450
BMW iX1 xDrive30 1,200750$98,900
Mini Countryman SE 1,200750$80,990
BMW iX1 eDrive20 1,200750$86,900
BMW iX2 eDrive20 1,200750$92,900
Audi Q4 e-tron 55 1,200750$120,990
Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback 1,200750$124,990
Volkswagen ID.4 Pro 1,000750$59,990
Skoda Enyaq Sportline 1,000750$67,990
LDV MIFA 9 1,000750$79,990
Skoda Enyaq Coupe Sportline Max 1,000750$79,990
Volkswagen ID.5 Pro 1,000750$59,990
Tesla Model 3 1,000750$63,900
Tesla Model 3 Long Range 1,000750$73,900
Skoda Enyaq Sportline Max 1,000750$84,990
Audi Q4 e-tron 45 1,000750$103,990
Kia EV9 Light 900450$105,990
Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV 850750$139,900
Hyundai IONIQ 5 750750$79,990
BMW iX3 750750$118,900
Toyota bZ4X Pure 750750$57,990
Subaru Solterra 750750$79,990
Subaru Solterra Touring 750750$84,990
Kia Niro 750300$54,990
Toyota bZ4X Motion 750750$65,990
Mercedes-Benz EQA 350 750750$95,000
Lexus RZ 450e Core 750750$116,600
Mercedes-Benz EQS AMG 53 750750$310,900
Jaguar I-PACE 750750$129,900
Nissan Ariya Engage 750750$59,990
BYD Atto 3 Extended 750700$51,990
Mercedes-Benz EQE AMG 53 750750$210,600
Hyundai IONIQ 6 750750$79,990
Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 750750$110,000
Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 750750$145,000
Lexus RZ 450e Dynamic 750750$126,600
Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 Sedan 750750$195,000
Lotus Eletre S 750750$265,000
Lotus Eletre R 750750$315,000
Nissan Ariya Advance 750750$69,990
Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+ 750750$92,500
MG ZS EV Long Range 500500$49,990
MG ZS EV 500500$40,990
MG 4 Essence 64 500500$52,990
MG 4 Excite 64 500500$46,990
MG 4 Long Range 500500$55,990
MG 4 Excite 51 500500$39,990
MG 4 XPower 500500$59,990

Tow ball weight

Few manufacturers list a rating for downward weight on the tow ball (sometimes called tongue load).

It is recommended that this be no more than 10% of the towing load (trailer + load).

Impact on EV range

Towing a load will (sometimes significantly) reduce the EVs range. Pay attention to the aerodynamics of the load (lower speeds and a lower height of the towed load will help).

The maximum open road speed limit is 90 km/h.

What about EVs with no official tow rating?

Many EV owners have successfully towed loads on Nissan Leafs, Hyundai Konas, and others with no ‘official’ tow rating.

There’s a great in-depth look at Kona tow ratings here, and even an NZ Facebook group devoted to EV towing.

Often, tow bar installers will rate these at around 500 – 600 kg (unbraked). The downward weight on the tow bar should not exceed about 10%, which is good for carrying bike racks.

The issue is a structural one.

An EV’s instant torque and low centre of gravity mean it can tow well, but has the car been designed with an appropriate structural mounting point for a tow bar?

This is a grey area, and the EV owner should beware.

Braked vs. Unbraked

Although EV manufacturers don’t have much detail on towing, many specify electrically braked trailers (e.g. Polestar).

Electrically Braked

Electric brakes are controlled electronically and activated by the tow vehicle’s brake controller.

When the driver applies the brakes in the towing vehicle, an electric current is sent to the trailer’s brakes, which in turn applies the braking force.

Surge Braked

Surge brakes are a mechanical braking system that works independently of the tow vehicle.

When decelerating, the trailer’s forward motion (surge) toward the towing vehicle activates these brakes.

Unbraked

It does not have brakes, and the usual maximum gross weight for the trailer and load is around 750 kg.

Towing load weights

CaravanDepends on size. Anywhere from 800 kg – 3,000 kg
Portable Cabin2,000+ kg
BoatsAn aluminium dinghy is around 150 kg, right up to a large boat that can weigh 3,500 kg

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