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Can Electric Vans Tow A Trailer?

Vanaways
Vanaways
29th Aug 2022
Can Electric Vans Tow A Trailer?

On the surface, electric vans may seem like the ideal solution for towing heavy loads in a trailer, due to their efficiency and power, but in truth, there are a number of significant concerns and reasons when attaching a trailer to your electric vehicle, that should be considered first. Below, we outline some of the major risks and concerns associated with using an electric van to tow a trailer.  

Weight Issues

One of the major reasons why electric vans aren’t currently able to tow trailers is the issue of weight. After all, electric vans are heavy, due to the significant weight of the battery pack required to power them, which, when combined with the additional weight of a trailer, could cause some concerns. 

When adding additional weight to your electric van with a trailer, you are placing increased strain on the braking and transmission components, which can cause both serious damage to your electric van as well as present troubling safety issues. Not only will this likely lead to your electric van components suffering the impact of wear and tear much more quickly, but it will also likely affect braking, performance and handling. 

Stopping Problems

Due to their efficient design, which uses an electric motor to transport energy earned from deceleration and use it to power the battery, electric vans that are attached to a trailer could cause braking problems as a result of the additional weight. 

Electric vehicles are naturally quite heavy, typically weighing 150-300kg more than their petrol counterparts, which means that attaching a trailer packed full of heavy cargo will likely struggle with the additional demands that are being placed on your electric van’s most crucial components. 

This system is delicately balanced, which means there is a risk of additional kinetic energy produced by the trailer potentially overloading the battery system, as well as placing your braking system under additional strain. 

Range Concerns

Another key reason why towing a trailer to your electric van is potentially a risky idea, are the concerns with your maximum range. Not only will additional weight cause safety issues with your braking system, but it will also naturally impact your electric vans’ efficiency levels. This means it will use electricity much faster and need recharging more regularly. 

Electric vehicles, although improving every day, still have a fairly limited range, with charging times far longer than traditional fuel, thereby causing significant range concerns when placing unnecessary weight by towing a trailer.  

Looking for new or electric vans for sale? At Vanaways, we’re the home of low-cost vans. If you’re looking for small electric vans for sale, used van deals, or quality used vans, we have everything you need to suit your requirements. Get in touch with us today

Vanaways Reviews

   
Zoe Batchelor

Zoe Batchelor

17 January 2025

"Love the van, Perfect as the spec I ordered, Saving up for the next one, thank you Adrian and Team, Boyd Batchelor, Tillage Nurseries"

Lisa Russell

Lisa Russell

05 August 2024

"Found these guys online and was a little bit wary to buy a new van from someone I hadn't heard of. From the off, the first phone call was professional and gave me all the information that I needed, Theo was great, helpful and I proceeded to order my new van, Paige sorted the paperwork quickly and efficiently and within 10 days I had my new van delivered! The price was very competitive and all parts of the transaction were easy and hassle free, wouldn't hesitate to recommend these guys, Thank you so much for a really good experience."

Yusuf U. Gadzama

Yusuf U. Gadzama

20 August 2024

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Clare Wood

Clare Wood

19 November 2024

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Jay Pee Ay

Jay Pee Ay

05 December 2024

"Paige was outstanding in her responsiveness to what presented as a serious problem for our company. The finance company used by her company caused unnecessary and significant delays in the delivery of our van - the pain of which was mitigated somewhat by Paige's proactive communication, informative and realistic communication and very professional demeanour. I'd recommend her and she meant our view of Vanaways was overall positive."

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