The range of electric cars on offer is growing all the time. No wonder, as the EU Parliament has banned the registration of new fossil-fuelled "combustion engines" from 2035. So if you regularly tow your boat, you need to think about what the future holds. In our market overview, we show you which electric boat can pull how much.
Until now, the range of purely electric cars was small and often limited to small city runabouts. The towing capacities were therefore often very modest, or the option of a towbar could not be ticked at all. And this despite the fact that many e-vehicles theoretically already had the power and the resulting torque. However, ranges suitable for everyday use have been the top priority in the development of vehicles to date. This is because, for reasons of space and cost, the main focus of development to date has been on achieving efficient power consumption. Energy consumption is relatively easy to calculate, taking into account the vehicle's own weight, the weight of the occupants and their luggage. However, if there is a loaded trailer on the towbar, the entire calculation has to be considered on an extremely individual basis. However, now that most vehicles can offer at least a reasonably presentable range, it is time for further development. This also includes the towing capacity.
The market for electric cars is growing
As with normal combustion engines, the type of drive often determines the towing capacity entered in the vehicle licence. For example, all-wheel drive vehicles are generally allowed to tow more than cars with only two driven wheels. Electric cars also normally only have one gear. Immediate power output, without interruption to all four wheels, therefore promises problem-free manoeuvres, especially on the slip road.
Anyone who regularly uses their trailer to tow their boat to their favourite spot at the weekend can now choose from an ever-growing market of powerful electric vehicles.
Due to their size, SUVs have a very high tare weight, which often results in a higher trailer load. However, the higher the trailer load, the smaller the selection of vehicles currently available. However, the trend is rising.
Towing capacity up to 1000 kg
(Manufacturer and model: towing capacity / price / specified range without towing capacity)
- BMX iX3: up to 750 kg - from € 67,000 - up to 461 km
- Citroën ë-Berlingo: up to 750 kg - from € 37,000 - up to 280 km
- Mercedes-Benz EQA: up to 750 kg - from € 48,000 - up to 426 km
- Mercedes-Benz EQS: up to 750 kg - from € 98,000 - up to 770 km
- MG Marvel R: up to 750 kg - from €47,000 / up to 370 km
- Peugeot e-Rifter: up to 750 kg - from € 42,000 - up to 279 km
- Toyota bZ4X: up to 750 kg - from € 48,000 - up to 450 km
- BMW i7: up to 750 kg - from € 140,000 - up to 625 km
- Opel Combo-e: up to 750 kg - from € 39,000 - up to 285 km
- Jaguar I-Pace: up to 750 kg - from € 92,000 - up to 470 km
- Renault Megane E-Tech: up to 900 kg - from € 43,000 - up to 470 km
Towing capacity 1000 kg
- Citroën ë-Spacetourer: up to 1000 kg - from € 54,000 -up to 314 km
- Citroën ë-Jumpy: up to 1000 kg - from € 42,000 - up to 318 km
- Ford Mustang Mach-E: up to 1000 kg - from €56,000 - up to 480 km
- Opel Vivaro-e: up to 1000 kg - from €45,000 - up to 330 km
- Opel Zafira-e: up to 1000 kg - from €54,000 - up to 329 km
- Toyota Proace Verso Electric: up to 1000 kg - from € 65,000 - up to 330 km
- VW ID Buzz: up to 1000 kg - from € 65,000 - up to 428 km
- Tesla Model 3: up to 1000 kg - from € 48,000 - up to 491 km
- Peugeot e-Traveller: up to 1000 kg - from €54,000 - up to 223 km
- Peugeot e-Expert: up to 1000 kg - from €45,000 - up to 316 km
Towing capacity 1000 to 1600 kg
- Skoda Enyaq iV: up to 1200 kg - from €49,000 - up to 542 km
- VW ID 4: up to 1200 kg - from €47,000 - up to 520 km
- Audi Q4 e-tron: up to 1400 kg - from € 52,000 - up to 490 km
- Polestar 2: up to 1500 kg - from € 48,000 - up to 440 km
- Volvo XC40 Recharge: up to 1500 kg - from €49,000 - up to 418 km
- Nissan Ariya: up to 1500 kg - from € 48,000 - up to 403 km
- Aiways U5: up to 1500 kg - from €41,000 - up to 400 km
- Genesis GV60: up to 1600 kg - from €57,000 - up to 466 km
- Hyundai Ioniq 5: up to 1600 kg - from € 42,000 - up to 481 km
- Kia EV6: up to 1600 kg - from €47,000 - up to 528 km
- BMW i4: up to 1600 kg - from €57,000 - up to 584 km
- Tesla Model Y: up to 1600 kg - from € 48,000 - up to 588 km
Towing capacity 1600 kg and more
- Audi e-tron: up to 1800 kg - from € 74,000 - up to 582 km
- Mercedes-Benz EQA: up to 1800 kg - from € 48,000 - up to 426 km
- Mercedes-Benz EQC: up to 1800 kg - from € 60,000 - up to 437 km
- Volvo C40 Recharge: up to 1800 kg - from € 48,000 - up to 533 km
- Genesis GV70: up to 1800 kg - from € 68,000 - up to 455 km
- Nio EL7: up to 2000 kg - from € 86,000 - up to 509 km
- Nio ET7: up to 2000 kg - from € 82,000 - up to 580 km
- Volvo EX90: up to 2200 kg - from € 105,000 - up to 600 km
- Polestar 3: up to 2200 kg - from € 89,000 - up to 610 km
- Tesla Model X: up to 2250 kg - from € 120,000 - up to 576 km
- BMW iX: up to 2500 kg - from € 78,000 - up to 610 km
Weight of the electric car and trailer influences the range
The high vehicle weight is due to the large battery packs installed under the car. As a result, there is significantly more moving mass on the road when travelling with a trailer. The already limited range is now further restricted by an increased payload - or by the towed load. The additional load in the form of the trailer and boat increases power consumption, meaning the vehicle has to be charged more often. However, this could change as soon as vehicle batteries become more efficient and therefore both smaller and cheaper.
Cold temperatures also reduce the range. However, this is not usually a problem for water sports enthusiasts, as boats are usually only used in the summer months.
Preparing for a holiday with a boat and electric car requires a certain amount of caution
But what will a holiday trip with a boat in tow look like in the future? Charging breaks can often be bridged with a meal, which means that there is no significant loss of time compared to a combustion engine. However, unlike normal petrol stations, which can be found more or less on every corner, with electric charging stations you have to plan exactly where to make the next stop or, if necessary, the one after that.
Reaching the charging points is also often much more complicated with an e-caravan. At many stations, the towing vehicle has to be unhitched due to the lack of space in the car park. Parking spaces are generally overcrowded, especially during peak travel times in the school holidays, which makes it even more difficult to manoeuvre to uncouple the vehicle.
But here, too, the infrastructure is constantly being expanded and more charging points are gradually being built that are large enough for a car and trailer. EnBW's fast-charging parks, for example, already have specially designated areas for camper vans.
When preparing for a holiday, a certain amount of caution and more elaborate planning is therefore required in order to reliably reach the charging stations with the boat on the hook despite the significantly reduced range. Due to the additional consumption caused by the towed load, the consumption of the electric towing vehicle will increase significantly.
Conclusion
Anyone who has their holiday destination right on their doorstep and therefore only travels short distances can consider buying an electric car. However, if you go south every year, for example to Croatia, the manufacturers of electric cars will have to come up with some ideas to avoid completely upsetting their customers' holiday plans.
