Source: Twitter
The claim that electric vehicles cannot tow trailers, caravans and boats has been proven wrong – once again.
As The Driven has reported on multiple occasions, there are several electric vehicles currently on the market that are regularly used to pull camper trailers, small caravans and even small planes.
This time, a Tesla Model Y has been captured on camera bringing a speed boat out of the water, with the owner reportedly saying it was so effortless that it felt “like it’s not towing anything“.
The video is another real world example countering doubters that say EVs are not powerful enough to tow.
One such doubter is Australian prime minister Scott Morrison, who headed a scare campaign against electric vehicles in the lead up to the 2019 federal election, saying, “it’s not going to tow your trailer, it’s not going to tow your boat, it’s not going to get you out to your favourite camping spot to your family.”
Granted, the Morrison government has admitted since there are EVs that can tow.
But putting aside impressive displays of power such as this electric Mini pulling a jumbo jet, the report of the experience that it doesn’t feel like the car is pulling anything shows that towing with an EV is anything but underpowered.
In fact, the Model Y – which is available in the US from is priced from $US49,990 ($A69,760 converted) before government incentives – is rated in the US to tow up to 1,588kg depending on which tyres are fitted.
When it was first released on to the US market in March, there was a great deal of disappointment when the Model Y manual showed it would not be rated for towing.
However, this was swiftly remedied in April when the US and European order pages were updated with a tow package option.
It can be bought with a tow package for an additional $US1,000 ($A1,400 converted), which includes (according to the US Tesla Model Y Owner’s Manual) a 2″ x 2″ hitch receiver, and wiring for accessories that use lights – for towing larger items such as caravans, the ball mount must be bought separately.
Unfortunately, although the Model Y is slated for an Australian release, Tesla’s Australian arm will not divulge when, or even if, a local release date has been pencilled in.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.
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