Executive Summary
Early marketing for electric pickups highlighted impressive torque but sidestepped a key question: what happens when you hitch a trailer. Independent and OEM tests in 2025–2026 converge on a clear answer: towing can cut range by 35–65% depending on weight, speed, and weather. At Energy Solutions, we combine controlled runs and fleet data to frame realistic expectations for buyers and fleet planners.
- Light trailers (~1,000 kg) often reduce highway range by 25–35%; heavy box trailers (>3,000 kg) can halve range or worse.
- Speed and aero matter as much as weight: tall, blunt trailers at 110 km/h are far worse than low, streamlined ones at 90 km/h.
- For most private owners, daily commuting remains easy; the pain shows up on long-haul towing days that demand more charging stops.
- Fleets can still make electric trucks work for regional and depot-based duty cycles, but must plan routes and charging around towing penalties.
What You'll Learn
Test Setup: Trucks, Trailers, and Conditions
To make different sources comparable, we focus on runs that share core characteristics:
- Highway speeds around 95–105 km/h on mostly flat routes.
- Temperature between 10–25 °C (no extreme cold or heat waves).
- Trailers in three broad classes: light utility (~1 t), mid-size RV (~2.5 t), and heavy box (~3.5 t).
Illustrative Non-Towing vs Towing Range for Selected Setups
| Truck & Trailer Class (illustrative) | Highway Range (no trailer) | Range with Trailer | Range Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-ton EV pickup + 1 t utility | 420 km | 285 km | -32% |
| Half-ton EV pickup + 2.5 t RV | 420 km | 230 km | -45% |
| Heavy-duty EV pickup + 3.5 t box | 520 km | 210 km | -60% |
Range Results: How Much Does Towing Really Hurt?
The stylised bar chart below summarises typical range drops seen in controlled testing for three towing scenarios. Individual trucks and routes vary, but the pattern is robust: heavier and less aerodynamic trailers drive non-linear increases in energy use.
Stylised Range Drop from Towing (Highway, Mild Weather)
Economics: Charging Stops vs Fuel Savings
Even with towing penalties, electric trucks can still offer lower operating costs than ICE pickups—especially for owners who charge mostly at home or depots. What changes is the distance between fast-charge stops on long towing days. A day that used to need one fuel stop may now require two or three DC fast charges.
For retail owners, this is a question of trip planning and tolerance for longer days. For fleets, it's a routing and scheduling problem: can loads be structured into regional runs with predictable charging at depots or hubs?
Case Studies: Real Towing Experiences
Case Study A: RV owner – Colorado, USA
- Setup: F-150 Lightning + 2.3 t travel trailer.
- Trip: Denver to Moab (~580 km round trip).
- Results: Required 3 DC fast-charge stops each way vs 1 fuel stop with previous ICE truck. Total trip time +2.5 hours.
- Lesson: Owner still prefers EV for daily driving; treats towing trips as "adventure days" with planned charging breaks.
Case Study B: Landscaping contractor – Texas, USA
- Setup: Rivian R1T + 1.2 t utility trailer (mowers, tools).
- Daily route: ~120 km with frequent stops.
- Results: Overnight depot charging covers daily needs; no mid-day charging required. Fuel savings ~US$3,500/year.
- Lesson: For regional, depot-based work with light trailers, EV trucks can be highly practical.
Case Study C: Horse trailer owner – Kentucky, USA
- Setup: Silverado EV + 3.2 t horse trailer.
- Trip: 400 km to equestrian event.
- Results: Range dropped to ~180 km; required 2 charging stops. Charger availability at rural locations was a challenge.
- Lesson: Heavy trailers + rural routes remain the hardest use case for EV trucks in 2026.
Devil's Advocate: When EV Trucks Don't Work
Long-haul towing: If you regularly tow heavy loads 400+ km in a day, EV trucks add significant charging time and route constraints.
Rural charging gaps: Many towing destinations (campgrounds, farms, remote job sites) lack DC fast charging. Planning is essential.
Cold weather: Towing in sub-zero temperatures can compound range loss to 60–70% below rated highway range.
Payload trade-offs: Large batteries add weight, reducing effective payload capacity compared to ICE trucks.
Bottom line: EV trucks excel for daily driving with occasional light towing. Frequent heavy towing over long distances remains a challenge.
Outlook to 2030
2026–2027: Battery energy density improvements may add 10–15% to towing range. Megawatt-class charging (MCS) pilots begin for heavy-duty trucks.
2028–2030: Solid-state batteries could enable 800+ km highway range, softening towing penalties. Charging networks expand to more rural and recreational areas.
Wildcards: Trailer-mounted range extenders (battery or generator) could emerge as aftermarket solutions. V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) charging may allow trucks to share energy.
Projected EV Truck Towing Range Improvement (Illustrative)
Methodology Note
Range figures are illustrative composites based on Energy Solutions analysis of OEM test data, independent media tests, and fleet telematics (2024–26). Actual results vary by truck, trailer, speed, temperature and driving style.
FAQ: Choosing an Electric Truck for Towing
How much range buffer should I plan for when towing?
As a rule of thumb, assume you will reliably get about half of the advertised highway range when pulling a large RV or box trailer at speed. Plan legs and charging with that in mind, then adjust based on your own data.
Are some trailers better than others for EV towing?
Yes. Lower, narrower, and more aerodynamic trailers can dramatically cut the range penalty. Weight still matters, but aero drag dominates at highway speeds.
Should I avoid an electric truck if I tow a few times per year?
Not necessarily. Many owners treat towing days as special trips that require more planning, while enjoying cheap, quiet electric driving the rest of the year. The decision hinges more on how often you tow long distances than on towing capability alone.
How does cold weather affect towing range?
Cold weather compounds the towing penalty. Expect 50–70% range reduction when towing in sub-zero temperatures, compared to 35–50% in mild weather.
Can I use a trailer-mounted battery to extend range?
Some aftermarket solutions are emerging, but they add cost, weight and complexity. Most owners find route planning and charging stops more practical for now.
Which EV trucks are best for towing in 2026?
Trucks with larger batteries (150+ kWh) and efficient drivetrains handle towing best. The Silverado EV, F-150 Lightning Extended Range, and Rivian R1T are common choices.
How long does charging take when towing?
Towing increases energy consumption, so you'll charge more often. A 20–80% DC fast charge typically takes 30–45 minutes; plan for 2–3 stops on a 500 km towing day.
Are EV trucks cheaper to run even when towing?
Usually yes, if you charge at home or depot rates. DC fast charging while towing narrows the gap, but total cost per km is often still lower than diesel or petrol.