Drivers are being urged to check the capability of their electric cars amid fears EVs cannot handle large weights or tow trailers and caravans.
Earlier this month, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles issued new guidance about electric cars to outline key factors relating to costs, charging and infrastructure.
One of the sections deals with whether electric vehicle owners are able to use their cars to tow caravans or trailers.
Many drivers are still unaware of the services their car can provide, namely how much it can tow and how far the battery will allow it to travel.
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Elon Musk has praised the towing ability of Tesla electric vehicles
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Like any road-legal vehicle, an electric car must be “type approved” to be able to tow a caravan or a trailer safely.
While the electric vehicle market is still in its infancy compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, a growing number of EVs have the capability to tow larger weights.
The Government has specifically highlighted how popular vehicles like the BMW iX, Kia EV6 and the Tesla Model Y are able to tow trailers and caravans.
The Kia EV6 77.4kWh GT-Line AWD was awarded the Best Electric Car Award at the Tow Car Awards 2023.
It has a kerb weight of 2,090kg, a maximum towing weight of 1,600kg and a towball limit of 100kg, making it suitable for towing a caravan.
What Car? said Kia has consistently built “brilliant tow cars” regardless of whether they want a diesel, hybrid or fully electric car.
When driving from 30-60mph with a caravan, the EV will take just 5.7 seconds, with the 1,600kg limit giving drivers the choice of a number of caravans available on the market.
The judges added that the stability of the vehicles ensures the caravan or trailer does not wander, even if they are travelling at 80mph.
Elon Musk has praised Tesla electric vehicles for being able to tow enormous loads, with a recent video showing the towing capacity of the new Tesla Cybertruck.
The Cybertruck, which has a towing capacity of almost 5,000kg, was able to drag a n18,000kg sled 318 feet – a feat Musk claimed was a world record.
When an electric vehicle is being towed by another vehicle at higher speeds and longer distances, drivers should check with the manufacturers of their vehicles about whether it should be towed with the wheels up.
Vehicle recovery companies are already used to this method as it is the standard case of automatic petrol and diesel vehicles.
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The Kia EV6 was crowned as the best electric vehicle for towing caravans
KIA
If an electric vehicle breaks down and is in immediate danger, it can be towed normally at a slow speed and a short distance to await further assistance.