6 EVs With the Highest Towing Capacity

Full-size pickup trucks with massive engines slurping gallons of gas or diesel fuel are what most Canadians think of when they need a tried-and-true vehicle to tow a trailer. However, with the recent growth in the number of battery-electric SUV and truck models, zero-emission towing has become a reality.

Aside from the environmental benefits, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs or EVs) are an easy choice for towing. Their electric motors produce ample and instantaneous torque, providing the pulling power necessary to start and move a heavy load, especially at lower speeds.

What To Know Before You Tow

Before we dig into the details of our top electric vehicles for towing, let's review some basic trailering tips.

For starters, it's crucial to be aware of a vehicle's towing and payload limits. 

A vehicle’s towing capacity number reflects the maximum weight it can safely pull. This is based on the vehicle's configuration and the weight it's already carrying, also known as the payload, which includes the vehicle's passengers, luggage, and any other items on board. Also included in the payload measurement is "tongue weight," which is the downward force, measured in kilograms or pounds, that the trailer tongue exerts on the hitch. This is usually about 10 to 15 per cent of the loaded trailer's weight.

Typical trailer towing capacities range from light-duty trailers, weighing between 454 and 680 kilograms (1,000 and 1,500 pounds), to heavy-duty options, including those for large travel trailers or car trailers, which weigh from 3,175 to 4,536 kg (7,000 to 10,000 lbs). When properly equipped, the EVs listed below should be able to handle these common towing scenarios.

One cautionary note on towing with any EV: it's important to be aware of a potential 30 to 50 per cent drop in driving range when towing because it requires more energy to move a heavier load. This is a significant consideration when planning longer journeys, so plan on charging more often than you would when driving without a trailer. 

2025 Chevrolet Silverado EV & 2025 GMC Sierra EV: 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs)

The top three EVs with the highest towing capacity on sale in Canada as of this writing all share General Motors' dedicated battery-electric platform. Of this trio, the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV pickup trucks offer the most capability, with a maximum towing of 5,670 kilograms (12,500 pounds) and a maximum payload capacity of up to 816 kg (1,800 lbs). 

Prices start at $63,999 for the Chevy electric truck and $115,699 for the better-equipped GMC version.

The Silverado and Sierra EV trucks are powered by two electric motors. The configuration allows for standard all-wheel drive (AWD) and plenty of get-up-and-go. In the base trims, that means 754 horsepower for the Silverado EV and 760 for the Sierra EV, with both generating a prodigious 785 pound-feet of torque. 

Depending on the trim level, according to Natural Resources Canada, the Chevrolet electric truck’s maximum driving range is 792 kilometres, and the maximum for the GMC is 628.

2026 GMC Hummer EV Pickup: 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs)

Arriving at Canadian dealerships in the fall of 2022, GM reintroduced the Hummer badge as a battery-only pickup and SUV models sitting at the top of the GMC brand’s lineup. Despite a towing capacity just a few hundred kilograms less than its GM siblings, and a lower maximum payload of 674 kg (1,485 lbs), the GMC Hummer EV Pickup remains one of the most capable electric towing vehicles you can buy. 

The electric Hummer is available in two AWD trims: the base 2X ($96,600) and the 3X ($104,700). The 2X, with its twin electric motors, packs a punch with 570 hp and 7,400 lb-ft, with a maximum estimated driving range of 512 km. The upper 3X trim may have a shorter driving range of 502 kilometres, but it gains a third motor with a staggering output of 1,000 hp and 11,500 lb-ft of torque.

For the maximum towing capacity of 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs), you’ll need to opt for the base Hummer EV Pickup 2X. The increased weight of the 3X’s extra motor and associated hardware limits its tow rating to 3,856 kg (8,500 lbs).

2026 Rivian R1T: 4,990 kg (11,000 lbs)

Accompanied by its R1S SUV counterpart, the Rivian R1T electric pickup truck hit the Canadian market in late 2022. Both Rivian EVs share an AWD platform that is smaller in dimensions than the full-size Chevrolet/GMC/Hummer trio and the Ford F-150 Lightning electric trucks. It makes the Rivian more maneuverable in tight parking situations and mild off-road adventures.

The R1T truck’s design is more restrained than the aggressive-looking GM trucks. It is also tricked out with some unique yet practical features like an external traverse storage area behind the cabin. Yet, despite its smaller size, the R1T can tow an impressive 4,990 kg (11,000 lbs) and carry a hefty payload of 800 kg (1,764 lbs). 

With prices starting at $129,999, the base R1T’s dual-motor setup offers an impressive 553 hp and 610 lb-ft, with a driving range of up to 676 kilometres when properly equipped. The $138,990 Performance Dual-Motor trim boosts outputs to 665 hp and 829 lb-ft. The $169,990 Tri-Motor, the most powerful R1T, puts out a healthy 850 hp and 1,103 lb-ft.

2025 Tesla Cybertruck: 4,990 kg (11,000 lbs)

Like the Rivian R1T, Tesla’s Cybertruck is more suited for drivers who want an electric truck in a smaller package. Where the Tesla goes its own way is in its exterior looks: it has a one-of-a-kind stainless steel wedge shape that makes it look like it just drove off a 1970s sci-fi movie set.

The base $139,990 Cybertruck AWD is a powerhouse, with its dual electric motor electric powertrain delivering 600 hp and 7,435 lb-ft. This results in an estimated driving range of 523 kilometres. The higher $167,990 Cyberbeast trim takes the performance up a notch, featuring a trio of motors that churn out a combined 845 hp and 10,296 lb-ft, albeit with a slightly reduced driving range of 484 km.

For those who need to tow with their electric truck, the Cybertruck can almost match the capabilities of some of its larger rivals. The Tesla boasts a maximum towing capacity of 4,990 kg (11,000 lbs). As for payload, depending on the configuration, Tesla says you can carry up to 1,133 kg (2,500 lbs).

2025 Ford F-150 Lightning: 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs)

Despite a wave of new competition, the F-150 Lightning emerged as the best-selling new electric truck in Canada in 2024. Ford's strategy for the Lightning's sales success has been clear: leverage the best features of the perennially popular gas-powered F-150 and integrate a pair of electric motors, AWD, and an independent rear suspension. The outcome is an electric truck that retains a traditional look and is more than capable of handling traditional truck work.

Compared to the Chevrolet Silverado EV, the base Ford F-150 Lightning Pro trim stands out as a more budget-friendly option, starting at just $59,995. It features a dual motor powertrain with the Standard Range battery, delivering a robust 462 hp. For those looking for a bit more power, the Lightning Flash trim, starting at $81,495, offers the Extended Range battery option, boosting the power to 580 hp and extending the Lightning's maximum driving range from the Pro’s 386 to 515 kilometres. Both configurations deliver 775 lb-ft of torque.

When it's time to haul, the Lightning Pro Standard Range tow up to 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs). For those with heavier loads, the Lightning Flash Extended Range steps up with a towing capacity of up to 3,493 kg (7,700 lbs). And for those who need even more, the Extended Range with the $1,120 Max Trailer Tow Package can handle an impressive 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs). 

Although the Extended Range F-150 Lightning has a higher towing capacity, the Standard Range has the highest payload capacity of the lineup with 1,014 kg (2,235 lbs), compared to the Extended Range's 885 kg (1,952 lbs) payload limit.