One in two caravan owners in Belgium has been asking the same question for three years: "Will my next EV be able to pull my caravan?" The short answer is yes, but not with just any model, and not if you ignore the impact on range. Here are the honest figures.
What towing capacity do you actually need for a caravan?
The Belgian camping market is dominated by caravans weighing 900–1,800 kg. The best-selling models — Hobby, Tabbert, Fendt, Knaus — weigh between 1,200 and 1,600 kg empty, and up to 1,800 kg loaded. To tow comfortably, your EV needs to be rated at 1,600 kg minimum braked towing capacity.
Check F3 on your registration document (or on the vehicle you're considering). If it's blank, that means zero. That's the case for the VW ID.3, the Renault Zoé, the Peugeot e-208 — models without an approved towbar option.
How much does range drop with a hitched caravan?
This is the real constraint. A caravan is a wall of wind. At 80 km/h, the penalty is 40–55% depending on the caravan's aerodynamic profile. At 100 km/h, it climbs to 55–70%.
| Speed | Extra consumption | Real-world range (base 400 km) |
|---|---|---|
| 80 km/h | +42% | ~282 km |
| 90 km/h | +52% | ~263 km |
| 100 km/h | +61% | ~248 km |
Source: ADAC tests with a 1,400 kg caravan, 77 kWh EV, 2024.
Practical consequence: plan a charging stop every 150 km to arrive with at least a 20% margin. On a Brussels–Vendée trip (700 km), expect 4 charging stops of 20–30 minutes each. It's a full day of driving, same as with an ICE car, but with mandatory breaks.
TOP 5 EVs that can actually tow in Belgium
| Rank | Model | Towing capacity | Real-world range (solo) | DC charging | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kia EV6 AWD | 1,600 kg | 380 km | 233 kW | €53,990 |
| 2 | Tesla Model Y AWD | 1,600 kg | 430 km | 250 kW | €52,990 |
| 3 | Hyundai IONIQ 5 AWD | 1,600 kg | 390 km | 220 kW | €54,990 |
| 4 | VW ID.4 GTX | 1,200 kg | 380 km | 135 kW | €50,990 |
| 5 | BMW iX xDrive40 | 2,500 kg | 380 km | 200 kW | €82,900 |
Official manufacturer approvals for Belgium. Real-world range = WLTP × 0.78.
No. 1, Kia EV6 AWD: the best for caravan owners who cover long distances
DC charging at 233 kW is the decisive advantage. During a 30-minute lunch break at a 350 kW charger, the EV6 recovers 280 km of range. On a long trip with a caravan, every minute of charging matters — the EV6 wastes the least. AWD ensures towing stability, and the 1,600 kg towing capacity covers all standard caravans. The standard heat pump is a bonus for spring weekends.
No. 2, Tesla Model Y AWD: the Supercharger network as the argument
In Belgium, France and Spain, the Tesla Supercharger network is the densest for caravan owners. Each V3 Supercharger delivers up to 250 kW — more than virtually any Ionity or Fastned public charger along popular caravanning routes. The 1,600 kg towing capacity and 854 L boot (ideal for camping gear on top of luggage) round out the picture. Its only drawback: the OEM towbar costs €1,400 from Tesla.
No. 3, Hyundai IONIQ 5 AWD: the same platform as the EV6, more spacious
The IONIQ 5 shares its 800V platform with the EV6, same charging speed (220 kW), same towing capacity (1,600 kg). Its interior is more liveable (3 m wheelbase) and its 24 L frunk provides extra storage for camping accessories. Ideal for families of 4 or 5 heading off with a large caravan.
No. 4, VW ID.4 GTX: for smaller caravans
The ID.4 GTX AWD supports 1,200 kg — enough for light caravans (under 1,200 kg GVWR) and luggage trailers. If your caravan weighs under 1,000 kg (Bürstner Nexxo or Eriba Touring type), the ID.4 GTX is a viable option at a competitive price. Its 135 kW DC charging is the main limitation for long trips.
No. 5, BMW iX xDrive40: for large caravans or leisure semi-trailers
2,500 kg of towing capacity — the benchmark in the electric market. If you have a 1,800 kg caravan or a horse trailer, the BMW iX is your only realistic option in electric. Its price (from €83,000) reflects that premium positioning.
Practical tips for managing charging with a caravan
Activate fast-charge preconditioning before arriving at the charger. 800V EVs (EV6, IONIQ 5) preheat the battery automatically if you've navigated via the app. A battery at optimal temperature charges 30% faster.
Stick to 80 km/h on the motorway. The legal limit with a caravan is 90 km/h in Belgium and France. Driving at 80 km/h instead of 90 km/h gives you 15–20 km of extra range over 200 km. Over a full day on the road, that's one fewer charging stop.
Charge to 100% before departure. EVs recommend staying at 80% daily to preserve the battery, but for a long trip with a caravan, charge to 100% the night before. You leave with the maximum margin.
Check chargers along your route the day before. ChargeMap, Chargemap Business (150 kW+ chargers) and A Better Route Planner (ABRP) let you plan your stops. Avoid 50 kW chargers for caravan-trip charges — too slow for a 20-minute stop.
Le verdict de Christophe F.