Towing with Electric Car

A while back, I saw a comment in a car group online that got my attention: “Electric cars aren’t practical because you can’t tow with them.” They weren’t talking about towing heavy-duty trailers every day, but just the occasional load—a weekend DIY project or moving some furniture. That got me curious: What if I actually tried it?

So, I decided to hook up a trailer to the Škoda Enyaq and see how it performed. And not just any trailer—if we’re going to test this, I figured go big. I found someone to track down a hefty load that looked more like a mini-garage than a trailer and filled it up for a 500 km trip across Estonia.

Setting Out: From Tallinn to Tartu with trailer and almost full battery

After my usual coffee stop at Tikupoiss, I set off toward Tartu with the Enyaq and trailer. We had two quick stops planned: delivering goods to a LukuExpert store and meeting a client about charging services. With a full schedule, we didn’t have time to charge in Tartu—but the Enyaq’s battery had us covered, even with the extra load. Confident we’d make it, we carried on to Viljandi.

Charging Stops: The New Waiting Game

Our route—Tallinn to Tartu, Viljandi, Pärnu, and back to Tallinn—gave us plenty of chances to test charging stops along the way. Our first charging attempt at Tikupoiss was a reminder of the new EV reality. The faster charger was already occupied, so we plugged into the slower one and took a breakfast break. By the time we were ready to go, another EV was already waiting to plug in. Charging stations are busier these days, and waiting is becoming the norm. Luckily, fellow EV drivers seem to be pretty understanding, making “EV etiquette” a real thing.

Handling the Hills in Viljandi

In Viljandi, we encountered another line but lucked out as a Tesla Model 3 wrapped up just in time for us to charge. With an 80 kWh battery, the Enyaq tackled Viljandi’s toughest incline, Kõrgemäe Street, effortlessly—even with the trailer loaded, it cruised up the hill without a hitch. On the open road, it handled smoothly, with just a tiny sway when the trailer was empty.

Smart Moves in Pärnu

By the time we rolled into Pärnu, we were becoming pros at this. We parked the trailer at Port Artur and charged up the Enyaq at Rüütli Square while taking care of some errands. A small queue had formed again—a sign of the times!

So, Can an Electric Car Handle Towing?

With the trailer fully loaded, the Enyaq felt balanced and controlled, handling winds and hills without a fuss. Naturally, our energy consumption went up by about 30% compared to a regular trip, but that was expected. Despite the load, the Enyaq drove as smoothly as usual, and steering felt just as responsive. The only real hassle was around charging; most stations are designed with just the car in mind, so maneuvering a trailer can be a bit awkward.

Wrapping Up: My Key Takeaways

This trip answered my main question: Yes, you absolutely can tow with an EV! It’s surprisingly practical, as long as you plan for a bit of extra charging time.

To sum it up:

Charging waits are inevitable. Even with careful planning, it’s common to wait at charging spots these days.
Cost Efficiency: This trip only cost me about €23 in charging fees—definitely a savings compared to a combustion engine on the same route.
EV Etiquette: As more EVs hit the road, it’s encouraging to see drivers being considerate at charging spots.

In the end, towing with the Škoda Enyaq was smooth, practical, and easy on the wallet. The only hitch? A bit more patience at charging stations, but with more infrastructure on the way, it’s looking brighter for EV adventures with trailers!