Can an electric or hybrid car actually tow?

Electric cars have excellent torque, the thing needed to be good at towing things, such as trailers, caravans, horse boxes and the like. However, electric cars are still relatively new when compared to their fuel-powered counterparts.

With different characteristics, comes different challenges, and therefore very few fully electric cars can actually tow, or more specifically are not advised to by the manufacturer.

The complex set-up of an electric car means towing is difficult. Electric car batteries are heavy, therefore, towing can cause excess stress on the electric motors/batteries and severely affect the electric range. Despite this, some manufacturers have managed to create an electric car that can tow successfully.

Alternatively, there are many more hybrid cars which are good for towing. Thanks to the hybrid nature, and of course a conventional engine, the electrical components needed are reduced, and so the capacity to tow is increased.

Read on below to find out which electric and hybrid cars you should consider if looking to tow.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

When we think of good towing cars, a Ford Mustang is definitely not a car that springs to mind, but this isn't an ordinary Mustang.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E may borrow a bit of the V8 muscle car's shine and of course part of its name, which may seem odd to some, but could this be one of the cleverest moves by Ford? As no one expects a Mustang to be boring, and electric cars have still not got the greatest reputation for driving experience - the Mustang Mach-E looks to change this stereotype.

This fully electric SUV isn't exactly slow either, with 0 to 62mph taking just a shade over 5 seconds (3.7 seconds in the GT version). It can also tow up to 750kg. While this isn't massive compared to its petrol and diesel counterparts, it's still one of only a few fully electric cars that can legally tow at all.

If you're in the market for a fully electric SUV with iconic heritage and towing capability, it's definitely worth a look.

KIA Niro PHEV

Fully electric cars are very limited when it comes to towing as highlighted in our intro. But hybrids are built slightly different, and because they are very similar to regular petrol and diesel cars, due to having smaller electric motors/batteries, their towing abilities tend to be are much better than fully-electric cars.

The KIA Niro PHEV is a perfect example, and it's also one of the least expensive plug-in hybrids rated for towing. A decent 1,300kg towing capacity means it's pretty useful.

A 1.6-litre GDi petrol engine combined with an electric motor provides 104bhp, which isn't loads but is fine for the compact proportions and 1,300kg towing ability. And being one of the least expensive new plug-in hybrid vehicles available, teamed with KIA's epic seven-year new car warranty, it all adds up to be a rather tempting proposition. Especially if you need the extra SUV space and usefulness of the Niro PHEV's towing ability.

Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life

Large family? Small business owner? The Vauxhall Vivaro-e could be the perfect fully electric towing vehicle for you.

Based on the Vauxhall Vivaro van, the Vivaro-e Life is a 9-seater, yes you read that right, it's a massive 9-seater MPV. Better still, it's fully electric and has a range of 143 miles, meaning zero emissions and cheap running costs.

It can also tow, and as an electric vehicle it's actually got a fairly decent 1,000kg towing capacity. This means it's perfect for towing a small trailer, ideal perhaps for those looking for the perfect airport shuttle bus or workhorse.

Being a Vauxhall, the deals on the Vivaro-e Life are rather appealing too. The vehicle is also almost identical to the Citroën ë-SpaceTourer and Peugeot e-Traveller, apart from the three brands' individual styling touches, so if you like the look of this Vauxhall but fancy that bit of French flair you're catered for.

Hyundai IONIQ 5

Blending SUV and hatchback practicality, this fully electric CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) is one of the most striking electric cars of recent times.

Head-turning for sure, the state-of-the-art IONIQ 5 has a unique size due to its hatchback/SUV character, so in its delivery looks rather striking, chunky and cool - which is surely certain to make this a popular electric vehicle for sure. It's practical too, with five doors and a massive 588 litres of boot space.

With a 1,600kg towing capacity as well, it's one of the best electric cars able to tow on the market, proving the IONIQ 5 is not just a pretty face, it's extremely practical and useful.

There's more too, with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, along with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and all the usual daily comforts such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ensure this car isn't lacking. With up to 300 miles of range, 0 to 62mph in as little as 5.2 seconds and a rather generous five-year warranty - this IONIQ 5 has everything going for it.

Citroën C5 Aircross SUV Hybrid

Time for another SUV, which is no bad thing considering how popular they are. And this isn't an ordinary SUV for many reasons. First of all, it's a Citroën meaning styling is wonderfully futuristic and eye-catching. Secondly, it's a hybrid, allowing for more familiar day-to-day fills up, with the added bonus of electric power.

With an all-electric range of 31 miles, it's useful to for doing short journeys using just electric power, whilst for longer journeys the petrol engine ensures you won't be needing to wait around and find charging points.

222bhp gives this particular C5 enough poke, along with an 8-speed transmission, which makes it plenty powerful enough to tow. And with 1,300kg of towing capacity, you can still pull small caravans and trailers with ease.

With 600 litres of boot space, the Citroën C5 Aircross SUV Hybrid may well be one of the most practical hybrid vehicles available, so it's definitely worth looking at if you are in the market for a practical hybrid towing vehicle.

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