Yes, a growing number of EV trucks and SUVs are rated to tow substantial loads, in some cases matching or exceeding comparable gas trucks on paper. The important detail is that towing cuts an EV’s real-world range far more than it does a gas vehicle’s, which changes how you plan a towing trip more than it changes whether it’s possible.
What’s actually available
Full-size electric pickups like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T, along with electric SUVs like the Chevrolet Silverado EV, are rated for towing capacities in the range of gas equivalents, often several thousand kilograms depending on trim and battery configuration. Smaller electric SUVs also offer modest towing ratings suitable for a light trailer, boat, or small camper.
Why the range hit is so much bigger than gas
A tall, boxy trailer or camper adds significant aerodynamic drag, and highway speeds already carry the biggest efficiency penalty an EV faces. Combine the two and independent real-world towing tests on electric trucks consistently show 40 to 60% less range than the vehicle’s unloaded rating, sometimes more with a large, boxy trailer, headwinds, or cold weather stacked on top. A gas truck feels this too, just less dramatically, since it isn’t already managing a fixed energy budget the way an EV is.
Planning a towing trip differently
The practical upshot is charging stops roughly every 100 to 150 km while towing a substantial trailer at highway speed, considerably more often than the same vehicle unloaded. A few things make this more manageable:
| Consideration | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Pull-through charging stalls | Not every fast charger is set up for a vehicle towing a trailer. Check ahead using apps like PlugShare, which flag pull-through availability, rather than assuming any station works. |
| Payload vs. towing capacity | Tongue weight and cargo inside the vehicle count against a separate payload limit that can be reached before the towing capacity is, so check both, not just the tow rating. |
| Moderate highway speed | Dropping your speed noticeably improves range while towing, similar to the effect on an unloaded EV, just more pronounced. |
| Preconditioning before fast charging | Especially useful on a towing trip in cold weather, since you’ll be charging more often and every minute saved per stop adds up. |
💡 Tip: Use your vehicle’s trailer-aware range estimate if it has one. Many EV trucks calculate a separate towing range estimate once a trailer is connected, which is far more accurate for trip planning than the standard unloaded range figure.
⚠️ Note: Always confirm your specific vehicle’s rated towing capacity and payload limit before loading a trailer, both vary significantly by trim, battery size, and optional towing packages, and exceeding either is a safety issue, not just a range one.