NCC Guide to towing with an EV - Manual / Resource - Page 7
RECHARGING YOUR EV
being towed, for example by removing
any fabric covers on the front, and
ensuring the bodywork is polished.
All that being said, the average and
maximum ranges for electric vehicles
have been steadily increasing, reducing
range anxiety, while battery technology
advancements have helped to make EV
driving more practical and appealing on
the whole.
The quoted range for a number of
EVs now extends to more than 300
miles, and in the next 昀椀ve years some
predict that could double to more than
600 miles, or even further.
RECHARGING YOUR EV
Caravans represent the freedom to
tour. To hitch-up at home, pitch up
at a holiday park or campsite, and
then – when the feeling arises – to
hitch-up again and head somewhere
new. However, this is where life for
an EV driver towing a caravan can get
trickier given the infancy of the UK’s
recharging infrastructure.
What are the options?
The obvious starting point is to fully
charge your EV at home, if you can,
while the car is unhitched. If you’re
heading away for the weekend, you
may choose to pitch up at a campsite
or holiday park that is within easy
return range, or each single journey
is within range and close to a rapid
charger/on-pitch charging. You need to
allow for the impact caused on battery
consumption by the caravan’s weight
and aerodynamics. And remember, you
don’t have to travel far from home for a
change of scenery in the UK.
Recharging while on the road
however, does become more
problematic when towing.
When it comes to recharging at
places like service stations, typically
the bays are designed only for a
car that is not hitched to a trailer or
caravan. At present there are few pullthrough bays at UK recharging stations
but you may want to research where
to 昀椀nd them in advance and plan them
into your route if you can.
Ultimately when travelling and
stopping at a service station, for
example, you may need to unhitch
the caravan somewhere safe and legal
nearby, preferably leaving an adult with
it at all times to ensure it is safe and
secure. If you have additional security
devices like a hitch lock, 昀椀t those too
even if it is attended. Your insurance
policy may stipulate the security
measures that need to be in place
when it is unhitched.
NCC Electric Vehicle Towing Guide 7
