Worried about range when towing with an electric ute? MG says there are plenty of chargers

MG has defended the towing credentials of its new U9 EV electric ute, backing Australia's expanding public charging network to keep owners on the road.

"We towed a 2.8-tonne large caravan from Sydney Metro all the way down to Gerringong, down the South Coast," MG Australia product planning manager Kevin Kou told CarExpert.

"Of course, the question might be, ‘Oh, what's the range?’ But we're fairly confident with Australian government initiatives, both federal and state, that they're building out a very confident charging network.

"For us, we will be talking to customers [about how] they should be planning out their journey."

The U9 EV launches as the only electric ute rated to tow 3.5 tonnes with a braked trailer – more than both the Toyota HiLux BEV (2t) and KGM Musso EV (1.8-2.3t), and on par with the top-selling diesel-powered Ford Ranger.

Its WLTP-tested driving range of 430km is also up on the HiLux BEV (245km) and Musso EV (380-420km).

However, these electric utes fall well short of many diesel and plug-in hybrid alternatives in the endurance stakes, with some capable of travelling upwards of 800km between stops.

This is particularly relevant when towing, as hauling a heavy caravan can significantly increase energy consumption regardless of powertrain.

For a diesel Ranger, that could mean a reduced range of around 400-500km, while the U9 EV could theoretically be limited to approximately 200km – although MG hasn't published a towing range figure.

The inconvenience of more frequent stops is compounded by the time required to recharge an EV battery compared with refuelling a diesel ute.

While a conventional fuel stop can take just a few minutes, MG claims the U9 EV takes 42 minutes to charge from 20 to 80 per cent using a suitable DC fast charger, with a maximum charging rate of 115kW.

According to the Electric Vehicle Council's 2026 State of EVs report, released in September 2026, Australia's network of AC and DC public chargers had grown to 4268 locations by June 2026, up 235 per cent on the same period last year.

However, the number of service stations remains significantly higher. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says the number of service stations in Australia increased from approximately 7500 sites in 2018 to around 8000 in 2026.

Despite these challenges, MG maintains that its electric ute can meet the demands of an active Australian lifestyle.

"It's got amazing range, 430 kilometres of range," MG Australia marketing director Dimitri Andreatidis told CarExpert.

"It's a vehicle that doesn't compromise in any way, shape or form."

However, without a tested towing range figure, it remains unclear how frequently owners hauling a heavy caravan will need to stop and recharge.

MORE: Explore the MG U9 showroom