Towing Capacity in Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles are seeing increasing adoption from New Zealanders. As the technology has continued to evolve over the last decade alongside the ever-increasing cost of fuel, for many Kiwis switching to an electric-powered vehicle just makes sense. However, a large sector of the NZ market have certain lifestyles that make them apprehensive about switching to an EV - most notably, those who enjoy taking advantage of the incredible landscape and seascape Aotearoa has to offer, whether that be fishing or camping. Lifestyles that require towing a boat, trailer, or a camper van. With these lifestyle factors in mind, it left many New Zealanders asking the same question - can an electric-powered vehicle such as a PHEV or an EV tow?

Contrary to what many believe, electric motors are naturally better at pulling heavy loads than their combustion engine counterparts. This is because an electric motor can generate an impressive amount of torque from a standstill. While EVs and PHEVs have plenty of pulling power and torque, their performance, range, and economy can be significantly affected by towing. 

Many manufacturers have not designed their EVs to be able to resist the forces towing imposes as it’s just not a priority in electric car design at the moment. This doesn’t mean there aren’t EVs and PHEVs that can tow. The industry is now at a point where outdoor-centric lifestyle electric vehicles are becoming more available. One such vehicle that would meet the requirements for most New Zealanders’ towing needs is the Next Gen Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

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EVs and PHEVs That Can Tow

While the vast majority of smaller EVs and PHEVs don't offer towing capacity, there are several on the market that can reliably tow a respectable load. In regards to full electric vehicles (EV), one of the few that have this ability is the rather pricey Tesla Model X. However, when you enter the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) market that can rely on their combustion engine to provide a bit more oomph, the possibilities for an affordable lifestyle vehicle that can meet your towing needs really opens up.

One of the best bang-for-your-buck is the aforementioned Next Gen Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. The latest Outlander PHEV offering from Mitsubishi has a 2.4L engine combined with its 20 kWh  lithium-ion battery and electric motors which take advantage of Mitsubishi’s Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) for incredible performance and range - even when towing. This system provides max torque of 195 Nm @ 4,300 from the engine and 255Nm / 195Nm from the front and rear electric motors. This all culminates in the Next Gen Outlander PHEV being able to tow 1.6 tonnes - more than enough for a jet ski, smaller boat, campervan, or trailer. This takes care of a large percentage of New Zealanders’ towing needs. 

Factors that Affect Towing Capacity in Electric Cars

Towing considerably decreases the range of an electric vehicle, but PHEVs have a fallback option in their combustion engine. Because they must lug the additional weight of their batteries, they frequently end up consuming more fuel than similar conventional combustion engine cars but this only applies if the battery goes flat. Batteries are heavier than petroleum, so the overall towing capacity is reduced. The additional weight of the batteries also contributes to the total weight of the vehicle and trailer, necessitating that any additional weight added to the vehicle be subtracted from the trailer for it to have a larger overall capacity.

Some additional factors to consider when deciding on whether or not an electric vehicle is appropriate for your towing needs include

1. Weight - towing capacity is related to the overall weight of the object that you are towing. Most PHEVs are designed to be lifestyle vehicles, and therefore the ones designed with towing in mind tend to be for smaller caravans, jet skis, trailers, and boats.
2. Towing Capacity - what are the vehicle braked and unbraked towing capacities? This will dictate how much you'll be able to tow. For instance, the Next Gen Outlander PHEV has a braked and unbraked towing capacity of 1600kg and 750kg.
3. Battery Performance and Range - because towing significantly decreases the range of an electric vehicle, it's important to have a battery with more than enough power to take on this extra load. This combined with optimised electric vehicle technology goes a long way in ensuring the practical towing capabilities of an EV or PHEV. The Next Gen Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has one of the biggest batteries in its class, coming in at a hefty 20kWh. This large battery (for a PHEV) utilises Mitsubishi’s Super-All Wheel Control (S-AWC) for a comfortable towing experience.

Can Electric Cars Tow a Caravan?

Some EVs and many PHEVs are capable of towing a caravan. The weight ratio between the vehicle and the caravan should be good, as should weight distribution, to prevent the caravan from snaking (weaving side to side) when driven. This is one of those times where the additional weight of an electric vehicle is beneficial - since EVs and PHEVs are typically heavier than their internal combustion engine counterparts, this is a benefit for drivers looking to tow a caravan.

Most New Zealanders own 2-4 berth caravans. These range from 800-1300kg in weight and therefore are covered by the Next Gen Mitsubishi OutlanderPHEV’s 1600kg towing capacity. Furthermore, some PHEVs have a battery distributed along the length of the car, which helps with the weight distribution. Unlike many hybrids, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has two electric motors on each axle which helps with weight distribution. This makes it better suited than other options for caravan towing.

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Contact Simon Lucas Mitsubishi to find out more about all of Mitusbishi's PHEV offerings.

Mitsubishi has been at the forefront of PHEV technology since its inception, and its latest PHEV offerings continue to set the industry standard. Simon Lucas Mitsubishi is the North Shore's leading supplier of Mitsubishi vehicles and can assist in helping you find the perfect Mitsubishi vehicle for your needs. Whether that's a PHEV to tow the fishing boat, a compact SUV to zip around town as your daily driver, or anything else in between, call into our showroom today and speak to our expert staff. They can book you a test drive and allow you to experience everything Mitsubishi has to offer for yourself. Get in contact with the team at Simon Lucas Mitsubishi today.