Towing with an EV in NZ: range, efficiency and the models that can do it

It's one of the most common questions in Kiwi EV groups: can an electric car actually tow? The short answer is yes, plenty can. The longer answer is that towing cuts an EV's range much harder than it cuts a diesel's, and the exact model and variant you buy matters a lot. Here's what you need to know before you hitch up.

The short version

• Over 100 EV variants sold new in New Zealand carry an official braked tow rating, from 500 kg up to 3,000 kg (EVDB.nz).
• Expect to lose around half your range towing a caravan. Petrol and diesel lose closer to a third (What Car?).
• EVs are great for short tows: the boat to the ramp, the trailer to the tip, a weekend away within 150 km or so.
• For regular long-distance caravan touring, a diesel or plug-in hybrid is still easier today.
• Check the exact variant. The same model can have wildly different tow ratings.

Why towing hits an EV's range harder

Electric cars waste far less energy than engines. An EV's drive system loses only 15 to 20% of its energy, compared with 64 to 75% for a petrol engine (fueleconomy.gov). Combustion engines are also least efficient at light loads and get more efficient as the load increases (ScienceDirect). So when you add a trailer, some of the engine's extra effort is offset by it running more efficiently. The EV has little waste to hide behind, so the extra energy shows up almost in full.

The other difference is how much energy you carry. A litre of diesel holds about 10.4 kWh of energy (DLR), so an 80 litre ute tank (CarsGuide) holds roughly 830 kWh. The Kia EV9, one of the bigger EV batteries, holds 99.8 kWh (Auto Express). And a diesel refills in minutes, while a 150 kW fast charger takes around 45 minutes to add 300 km of range (Supermarket News).

Drag matters more than weight

At open road speeds, air resistance is the big cost. A tall, flat-fronted caravan can cost more range than a heavier but low, open trailer (EV Math). When What Car? swapped a BMW iX's 1,900 kg caravan for a smaller 1,300 kg one, range went up by about 27% (What Car?).

Speed matters too, and towing efficiency drops off sharply at higher speeds (Recharged). New Zealand's 90 km/h towing limit (NZTA) actually helps EVs here. For comparison, Auto Express ran its EV9 test at 97 km/h (60 mph) (Auto Express).

Range: EV vs diesel vs petrol

Here's what independent tests have found.

• What Car? (UK) tested eight EVs towing a caravan at 85% of each car's kerb weight. Range dropped by 54.6% on average. The best, a BMW i4, managed about 180 km. The worst, a BMW iX, managed about 125 km. For petrol and diesel cars, they note fuel economy typically drops by around a third when towing (What Car?).
• Auto Express (UK) towed a 1,446 kg caravan with a Kia EV9 AWD at about 97 km/h. Efficiency nearly halved, giving a towing range of around 240 km against an official 509 km. Its sister car, a Hyundai Ioniq 9 driven solo at the same speed, used half the energy (Auto Express).
• Driven (NZ) towed 1,200 kg with a Ford Ranger V6 diesel from Hamilton to Taupō at 90 km/h. It used 10.1 L/100km, only about 20% above its official figure (Driven). On an 80 litre tank (CarsGuide), that's roughly 790 km.
• Heavier diesel tows of 2,500 to 2,700 kg caravans in Australian tests of a 2.0 litre Ranger used 13.8 L/100km (CarsGuide) and 16.3 L/100km (carsales). That's still roughly 490 to 580 km per tank.

These tests used different routes, speeds and trailers, so treat them as ballpark figures rather than a head-to-head.

A simple rule of thumb

For a caravan, halve your EV's official (WLTP) range (What Car?). For smaller, lighter or more aerodynamic loads, expect to lose more like 25 to 40%. Then plan legs of 100 to 150 km between fast chargers, and aim to arrive with a 10 to 20% buffer (Recharged). Don't trust the trip computer at first: Auto Express found the EV9's towing range estimate isn't based on the actual trailer weight (Auto Express).

What it costs to run

Towing a caravan, a large EV uses roughly 40 kWh per 100 km. The EV9 in the Auto Express test works out at about 41. Here's how that compares:

• EV charged at home at the national average of about 39c/kWh (MBIE via Calculate.co.nz): about $16 per 100 km. On an overnight EV plan with rates up to half price (Canstar Blue), closer to $8. Our best power plan for EVs guide compares the current plans.
• EV on public fast chargers at around 80 to 85c/kWh on ChargeNet's own DC chargers (EVs & Beyond): about $32 to $34 per 100 km. Prices vary by site, so check before you plug in (ChargeNet).
• Diesel ute at about 14 L/100km (CarsGuide) and $2.72 a litre (MBIE via GlobalPetrolPrices): about $38 per 100 km.

Both EVs (Geely NZ) and diesels (Calk NZ) pay road user charges per km, so that roughly cancels out. The takeaway: towing on home-charged power is far cheaper, and towing on fast chargers costs a little less than diesel. Fuel prices have swung a lot in 2026, so check MBIE's weekly fuel price monitoring and plug in today's numbers.

Tips to get more range

• Stick to 90 km/h or a little under. Towing efficiency drops off sharply as speed rises (Recharged).
• Choose low, rounded trailers. Shape matters more than weight at open road speeds (EV Math).
• Use your car's trailer mode for stability control and lights, but take its range estimate with a grain of salt for the first few trips (Auto Express).
• Check tyre pressures on both the car and the trailer.
• Precondition the battery before fast charging so it charges at full speed.
• Track your own kWh per 100 km on your usual routes. After a couple of trips you'll know your real towing range (Recharged).

Charging with a trailer

This is the part most people underestimate. Most fast charger bays are nose-in car parks, so with a caravan you'll usually need to unhitch, charge, then hitch up again. Auto Express called this the worst part of their EV9 trip, especially in the rain (Auto Express).

It's getting better. ChargeNet's Kaikōura hub on SH1 has two pull-through bays for trailers and campervans (ChargeNet), and its Tauranga Crossing hub has two as well (ChargeNet). Before a trip, check site photos on PlugShare or the operator's app, and bring a hitch lock in case you do have to leave the trailer (Auto Express).

Which EVs can tow in New Zealand?

The figures below are braked tow ratings for NZ-new models, from the EVDB.nz towing list. Always confirm the rating for the exact car you're looking at. The right-hand column is live: how many of each model are for sale on Electric Dreams right now and the cheapest one, refreshed as listings come and go. Where none is listed, set an alert and you'll hear the moment one lands.

Heavy lifters: 2,000 kg and up

The Riddara RD6 is the standout on paper. CarExpert suggests keeping trips with heavy loads or a trailer within about a 180 km radius unless you know where you'll charge (CarExpert). On the used market, the Tesla Model X sits close behind the iX's 2,500 kg (Driven).

All-rounders: 1,500 to 1,800 kg

Most 2 to 4 berth caravans weigh 800 to 1,300 kg (Simon Lucas Mitsubishi), so this tier covers them with margin. The Model Y and Ioniq 5 are the pick of the used market here.

Light duty: up to 1,250 kg

Watch the variant

The same badge can hide very different numbers:

• Kia EV9 Light (RWD): 900 kg, versus 2,500 kg for the AWD versions.
• Hyundai Ioniq 5 63 kWh: 750 kg, versus 1,600 kg for the 84 kWh.
• BYD Sealion 7 Premium: 750 kg, versus 1,500 kg for the Performance.
• Mercedes EQE 300 SUV: 850 kg, versus 1,800 kg for the EQE 350.

Used imports are trickier still. Tow ratings for imported models can be hard to find or missing, because towing may not have been a requirement in the market they were built for (Driven). Specs can also differ between countries, so check with the NZ distributor or dealer before you buy (Archibalds).

Not rated: the Nissan Leaf

NZ's most common used EV is not rated to tow. Nissan's handbook is blunt: do not tow a trailer (Driven). Lots of Leafs wear a towbar, but it should be for a bike rack only. If a Leaf is still the right car for everything else you do, the Leaf Index tracks live prices and battery health for every generation.

Aftermarket installers often rate towbars on unrated cars at around 500 to 600 kg. Driven found no specific law against it, but the real question is whether the car's structure was designed to take the load (Driven). It's a grey area, and the risk sits with you.

Plug-in hybrids: the middle ground

If you tow heavy loads long distances, a plug-in hybrid gives you electric driving day to day and petrol for the big trips.

One catch on the biggest number: the BYD Shark 6 Performance's 3,500 kg rating only helps if you're licensed for it. Towing over 2,500 kg in the Shark 6 needs a Class 2 licence (Driven). The standard Shark 6 is rated to 2,500 kg, the Ford Ranger PHEV to 3,500 kg (CarExpert), and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to 1,600 kg (Simon Lucas Mitsubishi).

NZ towing rules worth knowing

• Speed: 90 km/h maximum on the open road when towing (NZTA).
• Combined weight: car, trailer and load must not exceed 6,000 kg on a full Class 1 licence, or 4,500 kg on a learner or restricted (NZTA). EVs are heavy, so this can bite. A 2.6 tonne EV9 (Auto Express) plus a 2.5 tonne caravan, passengers and luggage gets close.
• Unbraked trailers: most cars are limited to around 750 kg (EVDB.nz). NZTA also recommends an unbraked trailer weighs no more than three-quarters of the towing vehicle, and every combination must stop within 7 m from 30 km/h (NZTA).
• Trailer brakes: trailers over 2,000 kg need service brakes (Mariner). Several EV makers specify electric trailer brakes, so check your manual (EVDB.nz).
• Tow ball weight: aim for around 10% of the trailer's weight, within your car's limit (EVDB.nz).
• Following distance: leave at least four seconds (NZTA).

So, should you tow with an EV?

Yes, if most of your towing is local or regional, you can charge at home, your trailer sits well inside the car's rating, and you're happy to plan a charge stop or two on longer trips. The instant torque and low centre of gravity make EVs surprisingly good tow cars (EVDB.nz).

Think twice if you regularly tour long distances with a big caravan, travel routes with few fast chargers, or need to tow 3,000 kg or more. A diesel or plug-in hybrid will be less hassle for now.

Looking for a tow-capable EV? Browse used EVs on Electric Dreams, pick from the tables above, and set a price alert so you hear first when the right one lands. Before you buy, run through our used EV buying checklist.

Sources

Range and efficiency tests

• What Car?: Range test: how far can electric cars go when towing?
• Auto Express: Electric car towing test
• Driven: Ford Ranger Sport tow test
• carsales: Ford Ranger 2.0 Bi-Turbo tow test
• CarsGuide (via Crusader Caravans): Ford Ranger XLS towing test
• CarsGuide: Ford Ranger fuel consumption and tank sizes
• Recharged: EV towing range loss percentage
• EV Math: EV towing range calculator
• fueleconomy.gov: Where the energy goes: electric cars
• ScienceDirect: Engine thermal efficiency
• DLR: Which fuel offers the most efficient energy storage?

Tow ratings and models

• EVDB.nz: EV towing capacity
• Driven: Towing and the taboo of using an EV
• Driven: Towing with electric vehicles
• Archibalds: Can electric vehicles tow?
• Geely NZ: Riddara RD6
• CarExpert: Riddara RD6 review
• Driven: BYD Shark 6 Performance NZ pricing
• CarExpert: BYD Shark 6 Performance for NZ
• Simon Lucas Mitsubishi: PHEV and EV towing capacity

Costs

• Calculate.co.nz (MBIE data): NZ electricity prices by region
• Canstar Blue: Best power plans for EVs
• EVs & Beyond: ChargeNet pricing structure
• ChargeNet: How much does it cost to charge?
• GlobalPetrolPrices (MBIE data): NZ diesel prices
• MBIE: Weekly fuel price monitoring
• Geely NZ: EV running costs in NZ
• Calk NZ: Fuel cost calculator

Charging and rules

• ChargeNet: Kaikōura charging hub
• ChargeNet: Tauranga Crossing
• Supermarket News: ChargeNet Kaikōura hub announced
• NZTA: Safe loading and towing for light vehicles
• NZTA: Guide to safe loading and towing
• Mariner: Towing a boat safely