BMW X5 45e (plug-in electric hybrid) towing test.

Electric is great for towing but in reality there are not many EVs capable of towing over 2000kg and even with lighter loads the real world range can be halved when towing due to the extra weight and drag plus most chargers in the UK would require a trailer to be unhitched so that you can park in a charging bay.

Basically if towing heavy loads, a diesel SauV or pickup truck is still the favoured choice. But what about a plug-in hybrid..??
Electric only when doing the usual school run and commuting to work but with a 3.0 twin turbo petrol engine as in this BMW C5 45e to backup the range when covering longer distances…?

How efficient will it be? How far can it go on electric? Does the blend of electric and petrol work well? Is it better than diesel?
Well I’ve towed with many cars including Land Rover Discovery 3 2.7 TDV6 and 4 3.0 SDV6 (my favourite), Toyota Landcruiser, Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi L200 and Volkswagen Amarok so let me test this and give you some comparisons!

Is the X5 a jack of all and master of none?

Thanks for watching.

Richard Symons
R Symons LTD "RSEV"
EV Specialist based in New Milton, Hampshire on the South Coast near Southampton and Bournemouth
Follow daily storyboard posts on our Instagram and Facebook pages

RSEV MERCHANDISE:

TESLA REFERRAL CODE
Use my referral link to purchase Tesla products and get exclusive benefits.

EGG SOLAR AND CHARGERS
Looking for a car charger or solar solution, check out our friends at Egg who can arrange nationwide residential and commercial installations at competitive pricing and with financing options.

OCTOPUS REFERRAL CODE

[mustafaassad]

I have the X5 50e, and it's even better than the X5 45e, more powerful electric motor and slightly bigger battery. Nearly 1 secound quicker 0-60 than the 45e. I'm really enjoying it.

[alhit]

Fantastic video and fantastic Hybrid more hybrid’s Richard please 🙏 they are the only way to go… so much more practical in today’s environment and climate. Brilliant X5 45e love them .

[FieldHouseFarm]

Great content. I'm sold on this as my Discon4 replacement.

[MannyOnePointFour]

Could be wrong, but pretty sure the 45e uses BMWs infamous B58 engine which is a twin-scroll single turbo engine, not a twin-turbo. An absolute peach of an engine nevertheless. One of the best.

[kaiser]

Hi Richard, I have Volvo XC40 recharge twin. Towing capacity 1.8 t but it towes my caravan no problem at all. You are right about the range though, it uses a lot of the battery but it’s still worth having.

[dang]

Interesting Richard

Looks like a nice motor. Look forward to the review

[Ollie]

X5 45e / 50e is the only hybrid I would consider atm for exactly the reasons highlighted in the video.
Looking forward to the full review.

I guess longer term the concerns around out of warranty repairs will be even worse in a hybrid in theory with more to go wrong?
But very much going to consider one as a replacement for my model S when the time comes…depending what polestar 3/4 are like

[alancobbin]

That 45e has certainly surprised me also, cheers guys👍💪😉

[wonderonegaz]

@rsev I run a small car dealership and the tow vehicle is a 4.4 SDV8 Range Rover. Air suspension for towing is the main game changer over anything else on a vehicle. MPG towing is 29mpg (that's about 31mpg empty and 28mpg loaded). 2.7T capacity also. What's your view on a 🌮?

It's a shame no EV can be tuned in such a way that they can eek out more mi/kwh and tow greater capacities. For now, internal combustion is still the only viable solution for towing.

The other issue... unless it's somewhere like a Gridserve, the number of trailer EV chargers at motorway services in the country can probably be counted on one hand. So, there is no way of charging up en-route either.

[binflydushy]

The X5 is just a great looking vehicle

[jamesw]

I am pretty sure you need a tacho for towing that as you are a business towing with a TGW of over 3.5t. Worth checking before you get pulled by the plod.

[ndcp]

I think, in order for EVs to be capable of towing heavy loads, they need gearboxes and drive through charging hubs. With a "tow gear" the cars would have even more torque at a low speed and you can make them mechanically limited at let's say 70mph instead of 100 or 125mph as most EVs currently do. That allows for higher peak torque at the wheels. Regen would also work better because it can regen with maximum power at a lower speed. It does increase complexity but you can even do it without a clutch, the gear is selected automatically by the car when it notices that a certain load is attached to it, let's say above 750kgs and then before taking off it shifts into that gear and stays there while the weight is attached.

Like this X5 does, it's electric motor is attached to the gearbox which aids in taking off. It's the ideal solution IMO.

[robertteal]

If the whole rig is over 3.5 tons, what is required to keep it legal?

[granfersteve]

You haven't mentioned how much the BMW costs either new or secondhand?

[MrGMawson]

Cheers guys but I'm not really a combustion or hybrid fan

[srowlands]

Shouldn’t you be using a vehicle with tacho fitted being your commercially transporting, and even though the trailer is breaked I’m sure you should not exceed 60mph MR Symons.

But interesting all the same, thanks.

[dinnoclans]

what was your tongue weight in this video?

[maenacfc]

You need to get your hands on Chevy Silverado EV. That's a beast.

[christianmarler]

Maybe the Kia ev9 would be the best towing ev for your needs.

[Jawlf]

You need to find an EV that can tow and show it can be done without having to use a hybrid. Gave a thumbs up, but please leave the hybrids alone. we need solutions and show EV charging facilities that allow a caravan to stay attached.