Can You Tow a Trailer with an Electric Vehicle?

One of the most common questions we hear is: Can an electric vehicle tow a trailer? The answer is a confident yes — in many cases, electric cars can even outperform traditional vehicles when it comes to towing. While EVs are often seen as compact city cars, the reality is that many popular models are fully capable of towing even heavy trailers. Here are the key advantages of using an electric vehicle for towing:

Still unsure? Just reach out to us. Tell us about your trailer, your cargo, and your vehicle, and we’ll help you figure out if you can tow a trailer with an electric vehicle and what specific factors to consider.

Alright, so we’ve established that you can tow with an EV — but the real question is, how much can you actually tow? Several factors influence your electric vehicle’s towing capacity, from motor power to battery size. The baseline figure is usually specified by the manufacturer. For example, the Tesla Model Y can tow up to 1,600 kg, the Ford F-150 Lightning goes over 4,500 kg — and the Rivian R1T can handle even more. When planning to tow a trailer, keep in mind that range is a big deal. Towing adds weight and increases aerodynamic drag, meaning your EV might use up its battery about twice as fast. Actual consumption depends on terrain, cargo weight, and driving style. It’s smart to map out a route with more frequent charging stops than usual. And if possible, check whether the charging stations are accessible while towing. One more thing — you might need a trailer with its own braking system. Many stock brakes aren’t designed for the extra load. These are all factors we’ll walk you through when you rent a trailer from our service. We can also recommend an electric vehicle with a towing capacity that fits your specific transportation needs.

If you already have a favorite EV, you’re probably not looking to switch — unless it simply can’t handle the trailer you plan to tow. Once you calculate how heavy a trailer you can tow, you might decide to go with an alternative transport method and book a delivery service with us. But if you do have the flexibility to choose your vehicle for the trip, here are some top recommendations based on different towing needs.

• The Tesla Model Y, equipped with a tow hitch, can confidently handle up to 3,500 pounds — great for weekend trips. It’s ideal for towing a jet ski trailer, a light cargo trailer, or a compact camper.
• The Tesla Cybertruck, in its highest trim, is expected to tow up to 14,000 pounds — an impressive figure, even among full-size pickups. While it hasn’t yet been widely tested in real-world conditions, its technical specs are seriously promising.
• The Ford F-150 Lightning is a widely adopted electric vehicle that can tow a trailer weighing up to 10,000 pounds. It features the Max Trailer Tow package and smart towing technologies like reverse assist and automatic hitch alignment.
• The Rivian R1T is often considered one of the best electric vehicles for towing, capable of pulling horse trailers or large caravans up to 11,000 pounds. Its standout feature is an intelligent suspension system that automatically adjusts to the trailer load.

You might also want to consider the GMC Hummer EV. And if you’re looking for a more compact option, check out crossovers like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 or Kia EV6. While they’re not pickups, they still offer solid towing capacity for lightweight trailers.

Electric vehicles are naturally good at towing thanks to their instant torque. But towing increases energy consumption — which means reduced driving range. In some cases, your range can drop by half, especially when pulling a heavy or tall trailer. When people ask us, “Do you know how big a trailer I can tow?”, we explain that it’s not just about weight — aerodynamics matter too. The greater the wind resistance, the faster the battery drains. For example, the Ford F-150 Lightning can travel up to 500 km with an empty trailer, but only about 200–250 km when fully loaded. This makes route planning critical. Not all charging stations are accessible for vehicles with trailers — especially in tight urban areas. Tools like A Better Routeplanner or PlugShare help you find optimal stops with enough space and high-speed charging. Prioritize DC fast chargers to minimize downtime. Use slower AC charging for overnight stops. It’s a smart move to charge frequently, even in smaller amounts. As for the battery itself — it’s built to handle regular towing on relatively flat roads. Any electric vehicle that can tow is engineered to support trailer loads without significantly accelerating battery wear. That said, constant use in tough conditions like snowy terrain, mountain roads, or off-road environments may lead to slightly faster degradation over time.

By now, the answer to “Can a car tow a trailer?” is a clear yes — but successful towing in Alberta requires extra planning and foresight.

• Outside major cities, Alberta’s charging infrastructure is still developing. To avoid surprises, map your route ahead of time using tools like ABRP or PlugShare — they’ll help you find stations with enough space to maneuver with a trailer.
• Alberta’s winters present a completely different challenge. Cold temperatures drain battery power faster, reducing range. To avoid running low, charge your EV in a heated garage, precondition the battery before departure, and warm it up again before charging.
• Cargo distribution also matters. On open highways with strong winds, reduce aerodynamic drag by using a low-profile trailer and maintaining moderate speeds. This improves both range and stability.
• Regenerative braking is another major advantage. On descents or during smooth deceleration, some energy is recovered and sent back to the battery. This not only adds a bit of range but also reduces brake wear.

And finally — don’t ignore your dashboard data. Real-time readings like energy use, battery percentage, and efficiency can help you decide whether to slow down or make an extra stop.

As you’ve seen, trailer size and weight have a direct impact on your EV’s battery and performance. We offer over 30 trailers for rent, each suited to different needs — and we’ll help you pick the most aerodynamic option for your Canadian road trip. Give us a call to rent a trailer, and we’ll recommend the best fit for your vehicle and calculate your safe cargo capacity.