We all know electric vehicles like the Tesla Model Y have an advantage when it comes to towing, thanks to their large amount of low-end torque. However, just because you can tow doesn’t always mean you should. In the video below, YouTuber Colorado Cars goes into detail about what it’s like to tow with a Model Y, and gives his thoughts about his ownership experience as a whole.
They put the Model Y to the test by completing a 38 mile (61 km) trip while towing 2 dirt bikes on a trailer. The bikes weigh in at a total of 550 lbs (249 kg), the trailer weighs around 450 lbs (204 kg), making for a total towing weight of about 1,000 lbs (453 kg) even. Keep in mind, the Model Y is rated for a maximum towing weight of 3,500 lbs (1588 kg), so in theory this shouldn’t be a problem, right?
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Wrong. With the weight of the trailer, combined with the cold weather, the battery went from 91% to 66% capacity in just 19 miles (31 km). At this point, the car predicts they will get around 100 miles (161 km) of range, but Colorado Cars is dubious. Also, at one point in this first leg of their journey, the window just stopped working, and wouldn’t roll back up – not exactly ideal for Colorado winters. Then, when they arrived at their destination, the rear driver’s side door wouldn’t close, also related to the windows’ ability to roll up.
On the second half of their trip, the windows did fix themselves, but the range still left much to be desired. It ended with 45% battery capacity from the original 91%, making for a 46% drop in just 38 miles (61 km). They did the math, and if they had started with a full 100% battery capacity, their total range would’ve been a meager 82 miles (132 km).
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You’d think that the electric crossover would be able to tow a third of its maximum towing capacity comfortably, and it can, just at the major expense of range. The EPA’s estimated range of the Model Y is 326 miles (525 km). Admittedly, that’s without towing, but the Youtubers stated they were only getting 180-200 miles (290-322 km) maximum, even without a trailer attached, and towing a third of the car’s maximum capacity shouldn’t result in a nearly 57% decrease in its already below-projected range.