Electric cars with a trailer coupling – this combination has been few and far between on the car market. However, the vehicle manufacturers have reacted to the increased demand and are offering most electric cars and almost all plug-in hybrids with a trailer coupling on request. The trailer loads can increasingly keep up with those of gasoline or diesel vehicles. This does not apply to the range.
In principle, the same applies to electric cars: the larger and heavier a car, the more load can be attached, says the ADAC. Thus, large and expensive SUVs offer the greatest trailer loads. At the top, according to the club, is the recently introduced BMW iX with a towing capacity of 2500 kg. But even Tesla’s Model X doesn’t manage much less at 2268 kg. Other premium SUVs follow with Audi e-tron and Mercedes EQC. But vehicles in the middle segment such as the Volvo C40 and XC40 or the Mercedes EQA 4MATIC are also allowed to take 1,800 kg on the hook.
Several new electric cars such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y or the BMW i4 can pull up to 1600 kg. The Polestar 2 manages at least 1500 kg. Lower loads can be attached to the ID.4, the Skoda Enyaq and the Audi Q4 e-tron – 1000 kg is the end, even in the all-wheel drive version it is only 1200 kg.
In the case of the small vans Peugeot e-Expert, Citroen e-Jumpy, Opel Vivaro-e, Toyota Proace, the maximum trailer load of 1000 kg is unlikely to meet the demands of the “craftsmen” target group.
Various models in the class up to 750 kg are still suitable for lighter train tasks or transporting bicycles, but remain far removed from the trailer options of comparable combustion engines.
The tiresome subject of reach
A challenge for the Stromer, however, remains the compatibility of a trailer load with the requirements for range, because trailer operation increases electricity consumption significantly. According to ADAC estimates, the range can be reduced by around half. The extent to which the loss of range affects the individual case depends on the weight and air resistance of the transported goods as well as the speeds traveled.
Another challenge arises in view of the existing charging infrastructure: Most of the charging stations are set up at the front of parking lots. In order to be able to load, the trailer would have to be uncoupled separately, otherwise the trailer would block parking spaces or the driveway.