Over the coming decades, we're all going to have to go electric. With the deadline for the phasing out of new petrol and diesels being brought forward to 2030, the days of the petrol engine are numbered. Many people who tow caravans are concerned about whether electric options have enough power to confidently handle the job over any distance.
The same applies to the increasingly popular hybrid option, which allows people to drive electric, with the backup of petrol or diesel should it be needed. You might be asking, can I tow a caravan with a hybrid car?
In fact, hybrid cars are an increasingly popular choice with caravan owners but the growth is still relatively modest. As things currently stand, if someone wants an affordable car to tow their caravan, diesel may still be the smartest option. Things are changing, however, with car manufacturers making new hybrid and electric models with the necessary heft to confidently tow a caravan.
How do things currently stand? What are the best options if you're looking for a reliable hybrid car with enough oomph to tow a fully-loaded caravan?
If you're only towing a smaller caravan, then take a look at the Honda CR-V Hybrid. This latest version of the CR-V is a hybrid replacement of the older diesel model as Honda makes the transition towards electric cars. It's a path all car manufacturers are going to be following over the next few years, and this version of the CR-V is likely to become popular. However, while the diesel model had a towing capacity of 2000kg, the hybrid can only handle 750kg. It has a fuel economy of 41mph but still manages to emit 120g/km of CO2, making it less green option than you might imagine.
If you're taking a mid-weight caravan out on the roads, then the Lexus RX405 might be worth considering. Despite its 3.0 litre V6 Petrol engine and pair of electric motors it still manages to achieve 40mpg when it's not towing. It may not offer the same kind of luxury you might find with some of its SUV rivals, but offers a maximum towing weight of 2000kg, making it a decent option for many caravanners.
This Range Rover Sport hybrid boasts excellent handling and considerable towing power. It's capable of towing a weight of 2500kg, and its electric battery will give you a range of around 30 miles on a full charge. You won't be towing on your battery, but the Range Rover Sport combines excellent towing, with the option to switch to electric power once the towing is done. A popular, but not inexpensive option.
This is a big SUV, with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, and a battery pack that will run for 34 miles on a full charge. In reality, though, with a caravan on the back you're unlikely to achieve many miles at all. This means that you'll be running on diesel during the towing, but the electric option will come in handy for local trips when you're safely on site. This shows the limitations of larger, SUV-style hybrid cars when it comes to towing caravans at present. With a maximum towing capacity of 2800kg, it has the power to move a family caravan comfortably, but if you're looking for a green option, this probably isn't it.
If you have deep enough pockets, the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid combines serious towing power, with sporty handling. With a towing capacity of 3500kg, it has far and away the most power of the alternative fuel cars. As with some of the other options, however, its hybrid credentials are perhaps a little limited, with an electric-only range of 27miles. In reality, and particularly when towing a caravan, that figure can perhaps be halved. This means, that like similar high-power SUVs it's really only going to be a green option when you're making short-range day trips from the site.
Hybrid and electric cars still have some way to go if they're to become a viable means to tow a caravan any distance without costing the earth. What they do offer, is the option to switch to electric once your caravan is on-site and set-up. Where SUVs are concerned, this can still mean considerable fuel savings over time.
