There’s no way you can tow with an electric vehicle, right?
That question was a big factor in whether I could or couldn’t choose an electric vehicle as a company car for work.
I have a horse and without a car which is capable of towing a horsebox, heading off on adventures with my horse is a no go. And that’s where an EV which can tow, and not just a small weight – around 1,800kg or more was an important lifestyle choice for me.
Luckily, my employer Arval UK, is a fleet and leasing company which has really broadened its company car choice list so that employees can choose a huge range of electric cars. The business believes that it’s important for its employees to speak with first-hand knowledge of the technology its customers will also lease and use.
Although research takes time, it’s rewarding, and test drives are fun!
Now there are an array of diesel 4x4s which can tow 3,500kg but they spew fumes from their exhaust pipe and also have eye watering company car tax… As a result, I decided to get investigating what EV options were available to me.
Doing my research, I discovered that there were a few EVs which can tow up to 2,500kg. I had test driven a Volvo XC40 PHEV, but I wasn’t particularly impressed by the plug-in hybrid engine. That’s when I decided that a 100% battery electric vehicle was the only choice for me.
Test driving the Mercedes EQC at the Cribbs Causeway dealership, I instantly loved the car. The instant torque of the electric powertrain, the fact it was all-wheel-drive and had a range of around 250 miles, all of the options were great. But most importantly, I could have a tow bar fitted within my company car band – and with that, an EQC was for me.
It wasn’t until about a year of learning how to get the most from an electric car that I decided to invest in a horsebox. I had a catalyst because work was carrying out research to demonstrate the towing capabilities of EVs. Although the research was being carried out at a professional facility, it was using dynamo testing – a rolling road – but I knew that we really needed a real-world example too.
Back into research mode again, I managed to find a trailer which was quite light weight, around 900kg, which still allows me to have another 900kg spare to carry horses. That’s the thing, efficiency and savvy choices are so important – if I chose a heavy box, that’s waisted weight. And so, a Cheval Liberte Pullman Gold horsebox was the right option.
A Facebook marketplace advert later, and off Alistair and I went to a little village near Oxford to pick up a 2016 model. Before setting off I made sure I charged my car to 100%, I’d researched the route for charge point options (there were none), but the journey was well within my range capabilities.
It was so exciting picking up the horsebox for the first time. After all the research and being told by so many ICE enthusiasts it would never work…
Here I was behind the wheel of my EV. And guess what, not only could it tow, there was so much torque from standstill – it felt like there was almost no weight on the vehicle. When compared to my experiences towing with an ICE and all the engine noise, gear changes… An EV was just so smooth!
Now for the horsey passenger…
It was such a breath of fresh air having a trailer. I’m incredibly lucky to live in a very beautiful part of the Cotswolds – and there are some amazing places to go and ride.
From the livery yard, I tend to hack (ride out) around 10 miles maximum within the same radius, so having the freedom to explore and get to locations further away was incredibly liberating.
To be safe and make sure we didn’t get into any difficulties with the horse onboard – which would be quite concerning – we went for a short 5-mile drive along local roads.
In just the same way as when the box was first towed, with my horse on board, there was just no lag in power. Unlike a diesel or petrol vehicle, as soon as you put your foot gently on the accelerator, you can move off incredibly slowly and gently, which is perfect for a horse. You simply don’t want the little jerk of a gear change, or the whirr of the clutch – it’s so smooth in an EV.
My first longer journey was planned to a fun ride around 15 miles drive from the yard. A 30-mile round trip. It would involve us travelling up some hilly roads, which would potentially reduce my range, but I couldn’t see a reduction of more than 40% causing us any real issues starting with around 230-240 miles range at 100%. There would still be ample remaining.
So off we went. Climbing around 200 metres up windy Cotswold roads I was able to take it nice and steady because of the electric motor. Pulling into the parking area in the middle of a field surrounded by petrol and diesel 4X4 trucks and horse lorries, I felt like a total imposter. But it was also great.
No tailpipe emissions… It was simply electric.
So what about the range?
Well it’s really not all that bad. On the first journey when it was around 18℃ the range was 2.4 miles per kilowatt hour. If the temperature drops, so during winter we’ve been out in 5℃ or so and achieved around 1.8 miles per kilowatt hour – but that is only on a short journey.
Part of the decision-making process in choosing a towing vehicle was the acceptance that, for my own lifestyle needs, an EV tow-car is perfectly suitable because I’ll never be doing incredibly long journeys with my horse. As much for her welfare needs never mind the range of the car.
An EV which can travel anything up to 100 miles when towing and without needing to charge, would be just fine.
It will be interesting to see what electric vehicles come to market in time – when the range capabilities hit that 300–600-mile target. It will be more useful for people who need to tow longer mileage than my local journeys.
Additionally, to enable longer journeys, public charge point operators should consider designing charge-spaces where vehicles can turn in with space for a trailer, so there’s no need to unhitch to charge. That way you can top up your range and support a longer trip.
Finally, I’d like to let you into a little secret. On that first fun ride journey, a gentleman was sitting by his 4X4 and walked over to ask if he could use my car to jump-start his vehicle…
I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know how to help… with a battery electric vehicle 🙈⚡️.
And while this woman couldn’t jump start a car, she certainly can drive an electric tow car!