Can an EV tow? A practical guide

EV towing is real but range-intensive

Several EVs have tow ratings of 7,000–14,000 lbs — comparable to gas trucks. The tradeoff is range. Towing a 5,000 lb trailer at highway speeds can cut range 50–60% because you're dragging additional weight and wind resistance. Planning charger stops every 80–100 miles instead of 180–200 is required.

Best EVs for towing

The Rivian R1T and R1S lead on towing for consumer EVs, with up to 11,000 and 7,700 lb ratings respectively. The Ford F-150 Lightning (up to 10,000 lb) and Chevy Silverado EV (up to 10,000 lb) are also strong. The Cybertruck can tow up to 11,000 lb, though build quality concerns persist among early owners.

• ·Rivian R1T: up to 11,000 lb, 314 mi range (untowing)
• ·Ford F-150 Lightning XLT Max: up to 10,000 lb, 320 mi range
• ·Chevy Silverado EV WT: up to 10,000 lb, 450 mi range untowing
• ·Tesla Cybertruck: up to 11,000 lb, polarizing build quality

Real-world towing range

Expect 40–60% of EPA range when towing at highway speeds. A 314-mile Rivian R1T towing a 6,000 lb trailer at 65 mph might do 130–160 miles before needing a charge. Plan your route around Electrify America or Tesla Megacharger stops (not regular fast chargers, which may be too slow for practical towing trips).

Charging while towing

Most fast chargers require you to unhitch the trailer to access the charge port, or you'll need to park in a pull-through stall with the trailer attached. Electrify America has been installing pull-through stalls at newer locations. Rivian's charging sites are also trailer-friendly by design.

Is an EV truck right for you?

If you tow occasionally (camping weekends, boat ramp, moving), an EV truck works well with planning. If you tow every day for work over long distances, gas trucks still offer more practical refueling for now. The gap closes as fast-charging infrastructure grows.