Can Electric Vehicles Tow?

Short answer: yesmany electric vehicles can tow, and some of them tow impressively well. The longer answer is the one you actually
care about: they can tow, but towing changes the EV game. Expect a noticeable range hit, more planning around charging, and a little
extra respect for weight ratings (because physics does not accept “but I was only going a little over” as a valid excuse).

If you’re wondering whether an EV can pull your small utility trailer, a pair of jet skis, or a modest travel trailer to the campground, you’re in
the right place. Let’s break down what EV towing looks like in the real worldcapabilities, trade-offs, and how to do it without turning your road
trip into a slow-moving science experiment.

Yes, EVs Can TowIf They’re Rated and Equipped

Towing isn’t about what your vehicle can yank forward once. It’s about what it can pull safely for miles: accelerating,
merging, climbing grades, managing heat, braking without drama, and staying stable when a crosswind tries to make your trailer lead the dance.

Many EVs are rated for towing from the factory, and some are built with towing in mind. Others are not rated at alland that’s not a “maybe,” that’s
a “don’t.” If your owner’s manual says no towing, your best move is to listen and save your future self a conversation with a tow truck driver who
does not laugh at your jokes.

Why EVs Can Be Surprisingly Good Tow Vehicles

Instant torque (aka “it pulls like it means it”)

Electric motors deliver torque quickly and smoothly. That makes pulling away from a stop feel strong and controlled, especially with a load behind
you. There’s no gear-hunting or waiting for the engine to wake up. You press the pedal; the vehicle responds.

Low center of gravity

Big battery pack down low = stability. That planted feel can help with towing confidence, especially compared with taller, lighter vehicles that feel
more easily pushed around by a trailer.

Regenerative braking can help (with a big asterisk)

Many EVs can use regen to slow the vehicle and recapture energy. It can reduce wear on the brakes, but it’s not magic: you still need proper trailer
brakes for heavier trailers, and you should never rely on regen alone to manage stopping a loaded setup.

The Big Trade-Off: Range DropsSometimes a Lot

Here’s the part most people discover about 37 seconds after they hook up a trailer: towing can dramatically reduce EV range. In
multiple real-world tests, range has been cut roughly in half in certain towing scenarios, especially at highway speeds with heavier or less-aerodynamic
loads.

Why towing hits EV range so hard

• Weight: More mass takes more energy to move, especially when accelerating and climbing.
• Aerodynamic drag: Boxy trailers are basically parachutes you pay to bring along.
• Speed: Drag rises quickly with speed, and towing often happens on highways.
• Terrain and weather: Hills and cold temperatures can reduce efficiency further.

A practical planning mindset: if your EV gets 300 miles unloaded, towing might put you closer to 150–200 miles depending on trailer
size, weight, speed, wind, and temperature. In some situations, it can be even lower. The more your trailer looks like a brick, the more your range
behaves like a rumor.

Towing Capacity vs. Payload: The “Numbers” That Actually Matter

Most towing confusion happens because people focus on one numbertow ratingand ignore the others. For safer towing, think in a set:

Tow rating

The maximum weight your vehicle can tow (under specific conditions and with proper equipment). This can vary by trim, wheels, battery, and tow package.

Tongue weight

The downward force the trailer places on the hitch. Too little can increase sway; too much can overload the rear axle and reduce steering control.

Payload

How much weight your vehicle can carry in the vehicle: passengers, cargo, accessoriesand yes, tongue weight counts against payload. This is
where many “I’m under my tow rating!” setups still go wrong.

GVWR and GCWR

These are the manufacturer’s weight ratings for the vehicle and the combined vehicle-plus-trailer setup. They’re the guardrails. Ignore them and you
can overload brakes, tires, suspension, and coolingnone of which enjoy being treated like optional features.

One more nerdy-but-useful note: in the U.S., many tow ratings are tied to standardized test procedures (often referenced under SAE towing standards).
That’s good because it creates consistencybut it doesn’t remove the need for common sense about hills, heat, cargo, and real-world driving.

Examples: How Much Can Popular EVs Tow?

Tow ratings vary by year and configuration, but these examples show the current reality: EV towing is not just possibleit’s mainstream in certain
segments.

Electric SUVs and crossovers (light-to-moderate towing)

• Tesla Model Y: With the tow package, rated to tow up to 3,500 lbs (great for small utility trailers, small boats, lightweight campers).
• Tesla Model X: Commonly rated up to 5,000 lbs depending on configuration and equipment.

Electric trucks (serious towing, serious planning)

• Ford F-150 Lightning: Up to 10,000 lbs on certain trims with the right tow package.
• Rivian R1T: Up to 11,000 lbs depending on vehicle generation and configuration.
• Chevrolet Silverado EV: Chevy advertises up to 12,500 lbs max available towing on certain model-year configurations.

Notice what’s missing: a promise that you’ll tow 10,000 pounds across three states like it’s no big deal. EVs can do the work, but towing at the top
end of the rating is where range, charging logistics, and heat management become a bigger part of the story.

What “Tow Mode” Actually Does (and Why You Want It)

If your EV offers a factory tow package, it often includes software and hardware designed to make towing safer and more predictable. Features may include:

• Tow/Haul or Tow Mode: Adjusts stability control behavior, regen, and power delivery for towing.
• Range recalculation: Some vehicles estimate range differently once a trailer is detected.
• Trailer light connector: The boring but essential part. If your trailer lights don’t work, nothing else matters.
• Trailer brake controller support: Critical for heavier trailers (and sanity on downhill grades).
• Cooling upgrades (in some trucks): Towing makes systems work harder; extra cooling helps maintain performance.

Translation: the best towing setup is usually the one engineered and warranted by the manufacturer, not the “my cousin’s neighbor installed this hitch
for $79 and a handshake” special.

Charging While Towing: The Real-World Friction Point

Around town, towing with an EV can feel easy. On longer trips, the challenge is less about pulling the trailer and more about charging with it attached.

Common towing-and-charging realities

• You may need more frequent stops: Because range drops, your comfortable buffer shrinks.
• Not every charger is trailer-friendly: Many stations are designed for cars that can pull in nose-first and leave easily.
• You might have to unhitch: Sometimes the easiest way to reach a charger is to disconnect the trailerannoying, but occasionally necessary.
• Charging time is part of the plan: If your trip turns into several charging sessions instead of one or two, time adds up.

The best fix is strategy: plan stops earlier, choose stations with space, and accept that towing trips are more “planned adventure” and less “spontaneous
detour to the world’s largest ball of twine.”

EV Towing Tips That Make a Big Difference

1) Don’t tow at the edge of your ratings

If you’re regularly towing, give yourself margin. A setup that is “technically within limits” can still feel unstable or run out of payload quickly once
you add people, gear, and tongue weight.

2) Respect aerodynamics

A low, streamlined trailer is often easier on range than a tall, blunt oneeven at similar weight. If you’re shopping trailers specifically for EV towing,
shape matters.

3) Slow down a little

This is the least glamorous advice and also the most effective. Dropping a few mph can noticeably improve consumption because aerodynamic drag is such a
big part of highway energy use.

4) Use proper trailer brakes (and know your local requirements)

For heavier trailers, trailer brakes aren’t optional in practiceeven if someone tells you they are. They reduce stopping distances, improve control, and
help prevent that “why is the trailer trying to pass me” feeling on descents.

5) Load your trailer correctly

Balance matters. Poor loading increases sway risk and can overload the hitch or rear axle. Keep heavier items low and centered, and aim for stable tongue
weight.

So… Should You Tow With an EV?

For many drivers, an EV is a fantastic tow vehicle for:

• Local towing (dump runs, landscaping, equipment)
• Boat ramps and weekend trips
• Lightweight campers and small travel trailers
• Occasional towing when you can plan charging

An EV can be a tougher fit if you:

• Tow heavy, boxy trailers long distances at highway speeds
• Need fast “fuel up anywhere” convenience in remote areas
• Can’t reliably charge at home or at your destination

The most honest answer is: EV towing works best when you match the trailer to the vehicle and the trip to the charging reality.
When you do that, towing with an EV can be smooth, quiet, and surprisingly confident. When you don’t, it can feel like your range evaporates faster than
free snacks at an office meeting.

Conclusion

Electric vehicles absolutely can towsometimes with impressive tow ratings and strong real-world pulling power. The key is to treat towing as a whole
system: tow rating, payload, tongue weight, braking, stability, and (uniquely for EVs) charging strategy and range management.

If you tow occasionally and you’re realistic about range, an EV can be a great partner for trailers, boats, and weekend adventures. Just remember:
the trailer doesn’t care how modern your drivetrain is. Physics still wants its cut.

Real-World Towing Experiences (Extra)

If you want the “what does this feel like?” version of EV towing, here are a few real-world-style experiences that capture what owners typically learn
fastsometimes in the first 10 miles.

The small utility trailer win

Towing a light utility trailer with an EV is the gateway experience that makes people say, “Wait… why is this so easy?” With a modest loadthink mulch,
furniture, or a couple of motorcyclesthe EV’s smooth torque makes starts and merges feel effortless. There’s no transmission hunting, and the quiet cabin
makes the whole trip feel less stressful. The range hit is there, but it’s often manageable because the trailer is low, not too heavy, and not shaped like
a billboard. For local runs, it’s a legit strength: you do the job, recharge at home, and never visit a gas station that smells like beef jerky and regret.

The camper reality check

Then comes the first camper trip, and it’s a different vibe. Even a trailer that’s well within the tow rating can cut range dramatically because it’s tall
and blunt. The first surprise is the range estimate: you hitch up, the vehicle detects the trailer, and your “300-mile dream” suddenly becomes a “150–180-mile
plan.” The second surprise is how quickly conditions matter. A headwind you’d normally ignore becomes a silent thief. A cold morning makes the battery less
efficient. A fast highway pace turns into a consumption spike. The lesson: EV camping is awesome, but it rewards patienceslightly lower speed, more frequent
charging, and a little more route planning than you’d do with gas.

The charging-station dance

The most memorable part of towing long distance is often the charging stop choreography. Sometimes you find a station with room to pull throughangelic.
Other times, you’re doing a three-point turn while protecting your trailer from curbs, poles, and the existential judgment of everyone watching. In tighter
stations, some drivers end up unhitching: park the trailer, charge the truck, then reconnect. It’s not hard, but it does add time and requires a little
situational awareness (and maybe a good playlist). After a trip or two, most people develop a system: pick chargers with space, stop earlier than you think
you need to, and treat “easy access” as a feature, not a luxury.

The boat ramp confidence boost

Launching a boat can actually feel great with an EV because power delivery is smooth and precise at low speeds. Backing down a ramp is controlled, and pulling
out doesn’t require revving or fussing. The weight of the vehicle can help stability. This is one of those use cases where EV towing feels like it was made
for the jobshort distance, predictable route, and you’re not trying to cross three states with a sailboat shaped like a wind catcher.

The “I learned payload matters” moment

Finally, the classic experience: someone checks the tow rating, feels confident, and then realizes the limiting factor is payload and tongue weight. Add a
family, a cooler, camping gear, and suddenly you’re much closer to the vehicle’s carrying limit than expected. This is where EV owners tend to become very
serious, very fastin a good way. You start reading door-jamb stickers, using a tongue-weight scale, and packing with intention. It’s not overkill; it’s
how you keep the setup stable and safe.

Bottom line from these experiences: EV towing is absolutely doable. The happiest towers are the ones who treat range and weight like planning
tools, not surprises. Do that, and towing with an EV becomes less “can it tow?” and more “wow, that was actually… pleasant.”