Another EV saves the weekend: Tesla Model X pulls semi-trailer in the snow

If there ever was proof an electric vehicle has the torque to tow a heavy load, look no further than this Tesla Model X pulling a semi-trailer in the snow.

While it’s not quite on the scale of the all-electric Mini Cooper SE we reported on in 2019 that pulled a Boeing cargo plane with no assistance, it’s certainly in more slippery conditions.

The tweet, which has garnered nearly 3,000 likes, clearly shows the semi-trailer inching forwards, and while there is a little slippage underneath the Model X tyres it is certainly carrying on as if it tows a semi every other day.

It is another example of just how wrong claims that EVs will “end the weekend” because they cannot tow your boat or trailer made by prime minister Scott Morrison are (yes, we will beat this dead horse until the next election).

On that subject, we can’t help but note that some media types are now framing hybrids as saving the weekend, because they use a combination of fossil fuels and electricity so apparently reach a balance between power and eco-friendliness.

“We always understood that light-commercial vehicles would take a little while longer [to transition] than passenger vehicles purely because of fit for purpose and the demands of the market and diversity of the market and terrain in Australia,” Toyota Australia VP of sales and marketing Sean Hanley was reported as saying by Cars Guide in an article titled “Your weekends are safe! Toyota promises hybrid electric HiLux and Land Cruiser will meet ‘diversity of the market and terrain in Australia”.

“Customers will not compromise on capability … so therefore it’s incumbent on us as a car company to bring that capability to the products – we’re committed to doing that, whilst reducing our CO2 footprint,” he reportedly said.

Can someone please tell Toyota (or Cars Guide for that matter) that Australia is not the only country with demanding terrains, and that electric vehicles are equally and even better suited to rugged rural types?

Cases in point include Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe’s off-road weekend, the Hummer EV in sub-zero temperatures, and the upcoming Pole to Pole project that will see British adventurer Chris Ramsey drive an EV from the northern-most to southern-most reaches of the planet in some of the world’s most taxing environments.