EV Charging while towing?
Hi, I'm exploring the options of an EV car capable of towing my Swift caravan and the challenge I have is considering how to recharge the car on the journey to and from the campsites.
Pulling into a motorway services isn't as simple as getting to the charge points and charging while grabbing a coffee is it? I regularly park in the HGV areas which is frought with its own issues including theft.
Is it possible to get from the HGV area to the car area and charging points after unhitching (and locking) the van and back again without leaving the Service Area and having to make trips up and down the motorway to get back again?
Does anyone have experince they can share please? Any help and advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Kevin
Best Answer
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Not sure what you are looking at, but if you want to avoid Motorway Services most makes have a display showing you where other charging points are and if they are free and working.
If you want to check if you can unhitch and get back to the car at services, try google earth for any you might need to use.
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Answers
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Kevin
Welcome to the forum. We have a member called Chocolate Trees who has posted a lot of useful information about towing with and electric car and recharging on service stations. I can't quite find the link but I am sure someone will. You could also check out Andrew Ditton's YouTube Channel as he tows with an electric car and again answers the questions you ask.
David
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it’s probably this thread by Chocolate Trees
There are others in the towcar section.
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Hi Kevin, Welcome!
As others have said, I tow with an EV (Polestar 2), and find it to be a great tow car. The worst aspect is, as you have identified, charging while towing. In my experience, using MSAs as you would have done with an ICE car is not so optimal, and you are much better off leaving the motorway and using a charging location situated in a car park with a bit more room for manoeuvre, more options for parking, no one way systems, and often, lower demand for the chargers themselves. Just taking a half mile diversion or so is worth the effort.
What EVs are you looking at and what is the MTPLM and nosewight of your swift?
In my experience weight makes very little difference to range, it's all about wind resistance and hence frontal size of your van, and the speed you tow at. If you regularly tow 300 to 400 miles (or more) in a day, an EV may not be for you. If you are more aligned to less than 300 in one day, it can absolutely work and be a very good experience.
Tobes
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Hi Tobes,
Thanks for the info and trip report it was very interesting and full of useful information. I am looking at the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and my Van is 1250Kg so works ok for weight.
Generally not travelling more than 150-200 miles max so think EV will be fine and just have to think about planning ahead before we set off. Will be mid to late summer before I get the EV so have a few trips where I can simulate the journey in an ICE and see how those would have worked in an EV.Thanks
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Kevin
I appreciate its a while until you get your EV but I am sure many members would find it useful if you could report back after you have done a couple of tows with the new car.
David
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