Electric Cars
Does Towing Kill Your EV Range? Facts and Tips
Towing a trailer cuts your EV range dramatically and you want to know how to plan.
What causes it
Aerodynamic drag and weight from trailers can cut EV range by 40-60% - more than towing in a diesel.
The facts
- Expect 40-60% less range towing a typical trailer.
- Small, low trailers (boat, bike carrier) lose ~30%; tall boxes lose the most.
- Regen braking helps downhill, but the math of towing is harsh.
Tips
- Plan stops on half your normal range - don't rely on the car's pre-tow estimate.
- Keep speed down - 90 km/h vs 110 km/h saves a huge amount when towing.
- Inflate tires to towing spec (see your manual) and use trailer brakes.
- Check charger access - many truck-station chargers are hard to reach with a trailer; use pull-through bays.
- Avoid the last 20% towing - charge earlier than usual.
Bottom line
Towing is doable but doubles your stop count. Choose the smallest trailer you can and slow down.