For a few reasons, electric vehicles typically cannot tow. An electric car’s battery pack weighs a lot, to start. An all-electric Renault ZOE, for instance, weighs 1,468kg, with the battery pack alone weighing 305kg, whereas a 1.2-liter petrol Renault Clio supermini can weigh as little as 977kg. This much weight on board reduces the vehicle’s ability to handle the added weight of a trailer, which could place undue stress on brakes and other components.
Manufacturers also frequently point out that hauling can harm the electric drivetrain. Electric motors’ remarkable power and fast torque make them great for accelerating with a trailer, but their biggest drawback is slowing down. Electric motors have the ability to rapidly transform into generators as you release the accelerator pedal, transforming kinetic energy into more charge for the batteries and slowing the car down, unlike conventional internal combustion engines. A steep climb will produce a lot more kinetic energy than usual when towing a hefty trailer, which could cause the electrical system to become overloaded.
Last but not least, many manufacturers don’t homologate electric vehicles for towing because the added strain of pulling a trailer can significantly lower the maximum driving range. The risk that towing could leave drivers stranded is significant given that the majority of EV manufacturers are already working hard to eliminate the stigma associated with “range anxiety.”
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Electric models that can tow
The Tesla Model X was the only electric vehicle with towing approval for a long, but now a few others, including the smaller Tesla Model 3, have joined it.
A small trailer or caravan can be pulled by the Model 3 with its 1,000 kg of maximum towing capacity. The Volkswagen Group MEB EV platform is shared by the Audi Q4 e-tron, Volkswagen ID.4, and Skoda Enyaq iV, all of which have the same 1,000 kg towing capacity. Given SsangYong’s popularity among caravanners, we anticipate the upcoming SsangYong Korando e-Motion will claim a comparable figure when it goes on sale. While the Polestar 2 can handle 1,500kg.
Both the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 are capable of lifting 1,600 kg, but the Ioniq 5 requires the larger 73kWh battery, whilst all EV6 models come standard with a 77.4kWh battery. In contrast, the Jaguar I-Pace can barely handle 750kg.
If you’re still looking for more pulling power, the Mercedes EQC and its smaller brother, the EQA, can tow up to 1,800 kg each, depending on the specification, and they can match that. Additionally, the Audi e-tron can tow 1,800 kg.
The Model X can easily tow a large caravan or trailer thanks to its impressive 2,270kg maximum towing capacity. Just be aware that if the combined weight of the car and trailer is greater than 3,500kg, you will need to have passed your driving test before 1997 or have done an additional car-and-trailer driving test.
When you connect the electrics of a trailer to a Model X, the vehicle enters “trailer mode,” which disables many of its driver-assistance functions like active cruise control, automated steering and parking, and the rear parking sensors. The Model X also engages Trailer Sway Mitigation, which can stop a trailer from swinging dangerously behind you by automatically braking each individual wheel of the vehicle.
Martin Spencer, technical manager for the Caravan and Motorhome Club, claims that the Model X has a “distinctly premium pricing point, making it difficult for early adopters to buy them.
Three electric MPVs, with a combined towing capacity of 1,000 kg: the Vauxhall Vivaro e-Life, Peugeot e-Traveller, and Citroen e-SpaceTourer. Peugeot’s just-released e-Rifter is likewise rated for a 750kg towing capability.
Although these automobiles can be equipped with tow bars, it is important to keep in mind that, due to the complexity of their engineering, most often this must be a factory-fit option chosen at purchase. If you’re looking to purchase used, you must hunt for an electric vehicle with a tow bar already installed. If not, expect to spend up to $1,000 to add one as an option to your new vehicle. This is the cost to add a tow bar to a Tesla 3 or a Polestar 2.
Plug-in hybrid cars and SUVs that can tow
Plug-in hybrid vehicles have less of the drawbacks of pure electric vehicles because they combine internal combustion engines with electric technology. For this reason, a plug-in hybrid is probably your best choice right now if you want to tow, conserve energy, and reduce your expenses. The most affordable plug-in hybrid vehicles are also less expensive than the Tesla Model X, making them accessible to a much wider range of buyers.
The redesigned Kia Niro PHEV is one of the least expensive plug-in hybrid vehicles that can tow, costing under $30,000. The Niro is perfect for towing a small to medium-sized caravan because modern vehicles have towing packs and can tow a 1,300kg braked trailer whereas older vehicles are insufficient. The Niro still has a 1,300kg towing limit and is substantially less expensive than the PHEV. It also comes in a conventional hybrid version. This number applies to the Citroen C5 Aircross PHEV as well.
Hyundai’s Santa Fe PHEV has a maximum towing capacity of 1,350 kg, which is somewhat more than that of the hybrid Kia Niro, while the Kia Sorento PHEV can handle 1,500 kg, which is comparable to the dependable Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
The executive saloon and estate class might be the solution if you don’t want an SUV but still need a PHEV that can tow; the Volkswagen Passat GTE and Mercedes C350e can tow 1,600kg in comfort on the freeway. The Mercedes should be a particularly skilled tow vehicle because it has air suspension in addition to having a lot of power. The latter can enhance ride quality and safety by preventing the rear suspension from sagging when pulling a high load. The Volvo V60 Twin Engine estate impresses with an even larger towing capacity, capable of pulling up to 1,800 kg.
However, the Audi Q7 TFSIe and Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge, both of which have a 2,700kg towing capability, are the most powerful plug-in hybrids. The XC90 T8 Recharge, which combines an electric motor with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine to create over 400 bhp, may be the ideal vehicle for campers. The large Volvo is able to obtain official ratings of 100 mpg and less than 75 g/km of CO2 when the battery pack is charged and has a 25-mile EV range. The interior is as impressive, including a restful layout, exquisite materials, and one of the highest safety ratings of any vehicle now on the market. The optional Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers can be a helpful stand-in if your camping DJ cancels.
If you can afford them, the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid and the Land Rover Defender P400e are currently the undisputed heavyweights of plug-in hybrid towing. The former has a starting price of just under $66,000 and, like the Defender P400e, which starts at $64,645, can pull a trailer that weighs 3,500 kg and is braked. That is the maximum weight that any non-commercial car, plug-in hybrid or not, is legally allowed to tow. This is partly attributable to the Cayenne S E-potent Hybrid’s 3.0-liter V6 petrol engine, which produces 410 horsepower when combined with the electric motor, and its standard four-wheel drive. The Porsche weighs 2.5 tonnes and has massive brakes, so stopping and maintaining control of a big trailer should be simple. The Land Rover Defender is renowned for being the ultimate workhorse and the Defender P400e is powered by a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor, producing a combined power output of 398bhp.
Hybrid models that can tow
Hybrid vehicles have been around for a longer period of time than plug-in hybrid variants, but the latter are currently far more prevalent. In reality, your choices for a normal hybrid under $30,000 are essentially restricted to the Kia Niro or a number of Toyota models.
Although its 725kg towing limit is somewhat small, the Toyota Prius Hybrid can be equipped with a tow bar. The Toyota C-HR hybrid crossover has a similar cap, which ought to be sufficient for anyone who wants to add a bike carrier, pull a tiny trailer, or even a micro-caravan or lightweight trailer tent. The additional 25 kg that the Corolla can handle puts it on par with the 750 kg combined weight of the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Ioniq.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Lexus NX 300h are both small SUVs with the same 2.5-liter gasoline engine and electric motor, making them both suitable for towing greater loads. Both vehicles can tow about 1,500 kg, which is enough to tow a medium-sized caravan.
However, as you might anticipate, the most powerful and most expensive hybrid SUVs are the premium models. With a 2,000kg towing capacity, the 52,000 Lexus RX 450h is the most economical option.
The future of alternative-fuel towing
According to Martin Spencer, technical manager for the Caravan and Motorhome Club, “in the medium term (next five to ten years), there will be a slight movement from diesel to gasoline, but the primary trend will be towards hybrids, with a smaller but gradually increasing number of electric automobiles.”
Although there will be a transitional time, Spencer believes that pulling large caravans behind alternative-fuel cars has a bright future. He said that they were particularly effective for simple low-speed manoeuvring, hill starts, acceleration, and hill climbs. “Hybrids make it possible to combine the efficiency and low emissions of a smaller engine with the performance of a larger conventional enginea significant benefit all around.
“Nearly every month, there are more and more hybrid vehicles that are more inexpensive and capable of towing. Particularly when towing, those hybrids with an electric-only mode frequently have a very small electric-only range. But in the not too distant future, new technological advancements are also anticipated to extend the electric range.
A caravan can a Kia Niro tow, right?
The Kia Niro is a hybrid car that can tow a caravan, which is good news. The Kia Niro can pull any braked caravan or trailer up to 1300 kg with its towing capability.
Even though it doesn’t appear to offer anything exceptional at first appearance, the Kia Niro Hybrid is a rather surprise car in many respects. The hybrid system is incredibly effective, the car is actually functional, and it has a ton of cutting-edge technology.
What the KIA Niro looks like and how spacious it is
The tiny Cee’d and the Sportage SUV, two of KIA’s most successful models in Europe, have highly daring designs recently and are very appealing, especially to younger audiences. Therefore, it appears that the KIA Niro is more geared toward buyers who desire a discrete car due to its nice aesthetics and lack of attention-getting features.
Only the taillights, in my opinion, are more attractive. Niro otherwise appears understated.
The inside is mostly unchanged, with a pleasant atmosphere, a dashboard with a symmetry-based design, and overall good manufacturing quality.
True, the test car’s top-notch equipment and many amenities also helped to contribute to this.
Despite being somber, the interior boasts ample high-tech components. The dashboard is dominated by the 8.0 touchscreen.
The Niro is a crossover vehicle, which is fitting given that it has a modest amount of ground clearance and offers room inside that is comparable to that of compact class hatchback vehicles.
How much weight can the hybrid 2018 Kia Niro tow?
Kia offers an Eco Driving Assistant system with coasting and predictive energy-guide functions for those who are concerned about their gas mileage. It instructs drivers on when to stop, coast, and take advantage of the topography of the road using data from the GPS-linked navigation system to best use or conserve energy. While location-based navigation in the infotainment system can direct drivers to the closest charging station should they need a charge on a longer trip, regenerative braking converts some kinetic energy into power for the battery pack. There will also be a towing package option, giving the Niro plug-in hybrid up to 2866 pounds of towing capacity, for individuals who are ready to give up some fuel economy for utility. We highly doubt that this shipment will ever reach the United States, but if it does, be prepared for a significantly worse rating there.
Although there has been no formal announcement regarding a U.S. debut, the Niro plug-in hybrid will go on sale in Europe this fall. In the following weeks, we ought to learn more.
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Can a hybrid vehicle tow a caravan?
Because of a process known as “type approval,” some hybrid or electric vehicles cannot pull a caravan. New models go through this certification process, however many automakers choose not to certify these vehicles for safe towing.
Weight, which is a key factor in the towing approval procedure, is one explanation for this. These versions tend to be heavier overall because they have batteries on board, and taking into account the additional weight of a caravan or trailer on top of that could necessitate the use of stronger brakes. Since the majority of drivers do not tow, this increases the cost of building the automobile, and the manufacturer may not think it is beneficial to do this.
The majority of EVs and hybrids use a technology called regenerative braking, which is another issue. This is calibrated to the amount of braking power required to slow down simply the vehicle, thus any additional braking power needed for a caravan or trailer could cause issues for the electronics. But this isn’t an insurmountable issue, and eventually, manufacturers could be able to create systems that can take into account various weights.
Range is another problem. Long excursions are common for caravan owners, which might be problematic for some electric versions. Drivers would not only need to recharge frequently, but the increased weight and wind resistance of the trailer would result in a drastically reduced real-world range compared to the car’s claimed figure.
Can a Kia E Niro have a towbar installed?
No towball remains after removal to scuff clothing or hurt shins! Your Kia e-Niro EVtowbar is under lock and key protection.
The towbar for the e-Niro EV features a powder coating. The metal surface is permanently coated with a plastic powder during this contemporary surface coating procedure. High durability and superior corrosion protection are the end results.
You can be sure that the towbar is of the highest caliber and was created especially for your Kia e-Niro EV. Production is ISO 9001:2008-certified.
Our towbars are entirely European-approved and built in Europe. Your towbar complies with Australian Design Standard ADR 62/02 and is certified to the highest requirements (ECE 55/01).
All of our towbars are created using 3D technologies, and they all go through computer simulations to check for any weak places and examine the structure’s dynamics while being driven. A stress test involving at least two million cycles must be performed on every design.
Our OEM-quality towbars are engineered to properly fit to the Kia e-Niro EV authorized towbar mounting points, making installation simple, quick, and uncomplicated. Our towbars are PERFECT FIT and need NO WELDING OR DRILLING.