Towing with a PHEV
I thought I would share my recent towing adventure with my new Volvo XC40 T5 PHEV. ( towing capacity 1640 kgs current Caravan 1450 kgs )
Before purchasing this car and tried my best to do a little research on a number of towing forum’s to no avail. As a time served transport Engineer I understand the working of this next generation motor car and feel the PHEV is a good option to replace diesel and a halfway house to a full electric car ? . This car replaced a Volvo XC60 2ltr diesel, anyway on to the journey this was from Derby in the East Midlands to Weymouth circa 230 miles each way, I started with a full tank of Petrol and a full charge of electricity. The route taken to Weymouth was M1,M42,M5,then across country to Weymouth, fuel consumption did drop to circa 42 mpg once all the electric charge was exhausted, return travel was across country to M3,A34,M40,A46,M69 & M1 and again circa 42 mpg. The said car performed excellently and held on to 60 mph on all up hill climbs. I would highly recommend the Volvo XC40 T5 petrol electric as a replacement to the conventional diesel.
All the above said one thing that was very disappointing was the lack of electric charging stations. Not one was found on route to or from Weymouth that could accommodate charging the car with the Caravan still connected to the car. A top up of electric on route would have improved the mpg ! Think this will become an issue in the further if not highlighted.
Comments
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Like you, I have purchased a Phev - but not for towing. My intention is to sight my next caravan, therefore relieving me from towing. Your point about being unable to find a charging point whilst caravan attached is a valid one and with the lack of dedicated parking bays in service areas, just underlines further, how much more needs to be done before the extinction of the ICE
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