Best Electric Cars for Towing in the UK (2026 Guide)

Last verified: May 2026

Can electric cars tow?

Yes — but only when the manufacturer has published a braked tow rating under EU/UK Type Approval. This is a crucial distinction. An EV's towing capacity is set at the homologation stage and cannot be retrofitted or unlocked with software if the manufacturer never submitted a rated vehicle for Type Approval.

Several popular EVs carry no tow rating at all. The original Renault Zoe, Honda e, original Fiat 500e, and original Mini Electric are among the models with no published braked tow rating. Fitting a towbar to any of these vehicles is illegal under UK Construction and Use regulations and will void your insurance — regardless of how capable the car feels when hitched.

For vehicles that are Type Approved for towing, the picture is positive. EV torque delivery is instantaneous across the rev range, which makes pulling away with a loaded trailer smooth and confident. The low centre of gravity typical of floor-mounted battery packs also improves roll stability with a hitched caravan. The 2026 Caravan and Motorhome Club Tow Car of the Year overall winner was the BMW iX (source: Electrifying.com), which pulls 2,500kg braked — confirming that a well-engineered EV can match or exceed the towing performance of conventional vehicles.

UK towing licence and legal rules in 2026

The rules for towing with a Category B licence changed significantly in December 2021, and many drivers are still unaware of the update. Since 16 December 2021, all UK Category B licence holders can tow a trailer up to a combined 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) — without taking a separate B+E towing test (source: gov.uk). The old rule requiring a B+E entitlement for trailers over 750kg no longer applies to combinations within the 3,500kg combined limit.

The B+E entitlement is now only required for combinations that exceed 3,500kg combined MAM. This is relevant for heavier twin-axle caravans and specialist trailers, but covers very few recreational towing scenarios for most UK drivers.

Speed limits when towing apply regardless of vehicle type: 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways, 50mph on single carriageway roads. These limits are lower than standard car limits and apply to all towing combinations.

A 2025 update to the rules also confirms that Category B holders can drive zero-emission vehicles up to 4,250kg MAM — which covers the heavier electric SUVs listed in this guide, including the BMW iX and Kia EV9.

On caravan matching: the Caravan and Motorhome Club recommends that a caravan's maximum technically permissible laden mass (MTPLM) should not exceed 85% of the towing vehicle's kerbweight. This is not a legal requirement, but it is a well-established handling guideline. Exceeding it significantly increases the risk of snaking — where the trailer begins to oscillate behind the tow vehicle at speed.

Towing capacity — top electric cars ranked

All figures are braked tow capacity. Verify your specific trim against the manufacturer's UK spec page — some variants carry a lower rating. Prices and specifications correct at May 2026.

The best electric cars for towing — detailed guide

BMW iX

The BMW iX leads the UK market with a braked tow rating of 2,500kg (BMW UK) — the joint-highest available. It was named the Caravan and Motorhome Club Tow Car of the Year 2026 overall winner, confirming that its on-paper rating translates to genuine real-world towing ability.

WhatCar?'s EV towing test found the iX returned approximately 210 miles when towing at motorway speeds, down from its 257-mile WLTP figure — a reduction of roughly 18% in that particular test. Other independent tests have recorded larger deficits of up to 48% with heavier caravans; as always, caravan weight and aerodynamics are the primary variables. The iX's long wheelbase and air suspension, which maintains consistent ride height under load, aid stability when hitched to twin-axle vans. Maximum DC charge rate is 200kW.

Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD

The Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD is rated at 2,500kg braked (Kia UK), one of only two EVs in the UK currently at the 2,500kg ceiling. It generates 388bhp and 700Nm of torque, meaning it pulls heavier loads without straining under acceleration.

Cars.com towing testing found the EV9 returned approximately 155 miles with a caravan attached, down from its 275-mile WLTP figure — a reduction of around 44%. That figure was with a substantial caravan load; lighter trailers will return meaningfully better figures. The EV9's 800V charging architecture accepts up to 239kW DC, reducing time at a charger when unhitched on a long towing journey. Seven seats and a flat-floor interior complete the family tow car proposition.

Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor

The Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor is rated at 2,200kg braked (Polestar UK), joint-highest alongside the Volvo EX90. Its kerbweight of 2,579kg provides substantial noseweight headroom for heavier caravans.

Auto Express towing testing reported approximately 50% range loss at motorway speeds with a representative caravan load. The Polestar 3 also won the 2025 NAF El Prix winter test in Norway — its cold-weather credentials complement its towing capability for year-round use. Maximum DC charge rate is 250kW. At £66,950, it is the most affordable of the 2,000kg-plus-rated EVs.

Volvo EX90

The Volvo EX90 is rated at 2,200kg braked (Volvo UK). It combines a seven-seat layout with serious towing credentials, making it the family-oriented choice in the 2,000kg-plus bracket.

Air suspension is fitted as standard, maintaining consistent ride height regardless of loading. Volvo's trailer stability assist system is deeply integrated into the EX90's safety software, actively managing sway before it develops. No independent UK towing range test had been published at the time of writing; using 45 to 50% WLTP reduction as a planning estimate is a conservative and defensible approach for journey planning.

Porsche Macan Electric

The Porsche Macan Electric is rated at 2,000kg braked (Porsche UK). It was the Caravan and Motorhome Club 2026 winner in the 1,800 to 2,000kg category, ahead of several larger SUVs.

Its more compact footprint compared to the BMW iX and Kia EV9 makes reversing with a trailer considerably more manageable in tight campsite or ferry terminal situations. No independent UK towing range test had been published at the time of writing; plan on approximately 45 to 50% of WLTP as a conservative estimate. Maximum DC charge rate is 270kW.

Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD

The Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD is rated at 1,600kg braked on post-Juniper models (Tesla UK). Note that pre-Juniper Model Y variants were rated at 1,000kg braked — a significant difference. Verify your specific build year against the Tesla UK configurator before purchasing or insuring for towing.

WhatCar? towing testing found the Model Y returned approximately 140 miles towing a 1,300kg caravan, down from its 283-mile WLTP figure — a reduction of around 50%. The key practical limitation for Model Y owners is Tesla Supercharger stall layout: most Supercharger sites are not laid out to accommodate a hitched caravan, meaning unhitching, repositioning, and rehitching at most stops. Some drivers use a detachable towbar specifically to reduce this overhead.

Skoda Enyaq 85x

The Skoda Enyaq 85x is rated at 1,400kg braked (Skoda UK) — the most modest figure on this list, but sufficient for the majority of lightweight caravans and most trailers. It was the Caravan and Motorhome Club 2026 winner in the caravan-under-1,300kg category.

Its lower price point relative to most entries on this list makes it the most accessible serious towing EV for buyers with lighter caravan requirements. The MEB platform's well-engineered weight distribution aids stability, and the Enyaq charges at up to 135kW DC.

Genesis GV60 AWD

The Genesis GV60 AWD is rated at 1,800kg braked (Genesis UK). It was the Caravan and Motorhome Club 2026 winner in the 1,600 to 1,700kg category, demonstrating strong towing stability relative to its class.

Its 800V charging architecture accepts rapid charges at up to 350kW where infrastructure permits — meaning relatively short top-up stops when unhitched at a fast charger. The GV60 shares its platform with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 and benefits from the same proven thermal management system.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD is rated at 1,600kg braked (Hyundai UK). Its 800V ultra-rapid charging capability — accepting up to 350kW where available — means that when unhitching at a charger is required, the actual charge time is short.

The Ioniq 5 AWD's well-regarded thermal management system, developed with towing and varied loads in mind, maintains consistent performance across a wide range of temperatures. The V2L (vehicle-to-load) capability is also a practical bonus for campsite use, allowing you to run low-power appliances directly from the car battery.

Nissan Ariya e-4orce

The Nissan Ariya e-4orce is rated at 1,500kg braked (Nissan UK). It was the Caravan and Motorhome Club 2026 winner in the 1,500 to 1,600kg category. The twin-motor AWD system provides confident hitch-pulling stability, with torque vectoring between axles improving directional stability on wet or uneven surfaces.

Maximum DC charge rate is 130kW — lower than the 800V models above, meaning slightly longer rapid charging stops. For caravan touring that involves regular overnight static stops, this is a minor practical consideration; for high-mileage day runs with multiple charge stops, the faster-charging alternatives have a real advantage.

How much range do EVs lose when towing?

A 30 to 55% range reduction is typical for braked caravans at motorway speeds, based on independent testing by WhatCar?, Auto Express, and Fleet News. As a planning rule, assume half of your WLTP range for caravan towing at motorway speeds — and treat any result better than that as a bonus.

WhatCar?'s systematic towing test found an average 54.6% range loss when the caravan was weighted to 85% of the towing vehicle's kerbweight — a realistic representation of a fully-loaded family caravan in use. Auto Express testing across multiple models found consistent figures in the 45 to 55% range for similar loading conditions.

For lighter or more aerodynamic loads — flatbed trailers, small boat trailers, horse boxes with low frontal area — Fleet News mixed-conditions data suggests 23 to 31% loss, meaningfully below the caravan figures. Caravan aerodynamics are the most significant single variable: a boxy twin-axle caravan creates substantially more drag than a sleek motorsport trailer of the same weight.

The Kia EV9 example illustrates the scale: 275 miles WLTP reduced to approximately 155 miles with a caravan, a 44% reduction. Speed compounds the effect further — dropping from 70mph to 56mph towing the same caravan can recover 15 to 20% of the range penalty, substantially extending the distance between charging stops.

Cold temperatures add a further 10 to 15% on top of the towing penalty in winter conditions (Recurrent Auto), making winter caravanning in an EV the most demanding use case. Pre-conditioning before departure and keeping speeds moderate are particularly important in cold weather.

Towbar fitment and Type Approval

Before ordering a towbar for any EV, confirm that the vehicle is homologated to tow. The braked tow capacity appears in the EC Certificate of Conformity, which dealers can supply. Fitting a towbar to a vehicle with no published tow rating is illegal under UK Construction and Use regulations and voids the vehicle's insurance policy for any towing use.

Approved towbar types for towing-rated EVs include detachable swan-neck and fixed flange designs from manufacturers such as Westfalia, Witter, and Bosal. UK and EU caravans use a 13-pin socket as standard; most tow-rated EVs integrate trailer stability control, which connects via the 13-pin connection and actively manages sway.

Typical fitted cost for an approved towbar ranges from £600 to £1,200 depending on model and fitting complexity. Some EVs require an additional step: Tesla Model Y, BMW iX, and Kia EV9 all require dealer-side software activation of a dedicated tow mode after towbar installation. Without this activation, trailer sway functions and stability integration may not operate correctly.

Always confirm with your insurer that towing is covered under your policy before ordering a towbar. A minority of EV insurance policies exclude towing as standard; checking before fitment avoids an unpleasant discovery at the roadside.

Charging an EV when towing a caravan

The practical reality of public rapid charging with a hitched caravan is one of the most frequently underestimated challenges for new EV caravanners. Most public rapid charger sites — including BP Pulse, Ionity, Gridserve standard bays, and Tesla Supercharger — are designed for unattached cars. Parking bays are too short for a car-plus-caravan combination; turning circles are too tight; and pull-in access is not designed for reverse maneuvering with a trailer.

Drive-through or pull-in bays suitable for hitched vehicles do exist at a small number of sites: some Gridserve Electric Forecourts, certain Fastned hubs, and a growing number of MFG EV Power locations have been designed with caravanners in mind. However, these remain uncommon and are not yet systematically mapped in any single planning tool.

The time cost of unhitching deserves realistic planning. Unhitching, finding a suitable charging bay, manoeuvring, charging, reconnecting, and safety-checking before departure adds 30 to 45 minutes per stop on top of the actual charge time. On a long towing day with two charge stops, that adds 60 to 90 minutes to the journey.

The most practical answer is straightforward: start every trip with a full battery charged at home. A 7kW tethered home charger fills a 100kWh EV battery overnight from empty in around 14 hours, meaning a full charge is available every morning regardless of what was driven the day before. See our independent reviews of home EV chargers to find the right unit for your driveway.

This matters particularly because most tow-capable EV owners have access to off-street parking — a hitched caravan needs somewhere to store and connect, which almost always means a driveway. Home charging compatibility is therefore close to universal in this group, making a home charger the most impactful single investment for any EV caravanner.

Frequently asked questions

Can electric cars tow a caravan in the UK?

Yes, but only EVs with a manufacturer-published braked tow rating under Type Approval. Many smaller EVs carry no tow rating and cannot legally tow. The best-rated options in the UK pull 1,500 to 2,500kg braked, covering the majority of caravans on UK roads.

Which electric car has the highest towing capacity?

Two EVs share the top spot with 2,500kg braked: the BMW iX and the Kia EV9 GT-Line AWD. Both are rated at 2,500kg and have been tested extensively by caravan clubs and automotive press.

How much range do you lose towing a caravan with an EV?

Typically 30 to 55% of your WLTP range, depending on caravan size and speed. WhatCar? testing found an average 54.6% range loss when a caravan was loaded to 85% of the car's kerbweight. As a planning rule, assume half your WLTP figure for motorway caravan towing.

Do you need a special licence to tow with an electric car?

No. Since 16 December 2021, all UK Category B licence holders can tow a trailer up to a combined 3,500kg maximum authorised mass without a separate B+E test. Heavier combinations may still require the additional entitlement.

Can you charge an electric car with a caravan attached?

Rarely at public rapid chargers — most are not designed for vehicles with a trailer. You will generally need to unhitch before charging. Drive-through bays exist at a small number of Gridserve and Fastned sites. A home charger is the most practical solution for tow-capable EV owners.