The MG U9 EV is an electric ute rated to pull a big caravan. MG's Australian U9 EV page lists up to 3500kg of braked towing, alongside a 430km WLTP range from a 102kWh LFP battery.
What that page does not give you is a range figure while towing. For anyone buying a ute specifically to tow, that is the number that decides whether it suits.
Without that figure, trip planning falls to you. Here is how to think it through before you buy.
The MG U9 EV towing rating is not the problem
A 3500kg braked rating is a serious number for caravan and boat owners. On paper, the U9 EV can hitch up a large van.
The catch is energy, not capability. Towing a heavy, boxy trailer at highway speed takes a lot more energy than driving empty, whatever powers the vehicle. A combustion-engined ute faces the same physics, but refuelling takes minutes rather than a charging session.
Our worked examples: how far 430km might go
MG's 430km figure is a WLTP laboratory result for the ute on its own. Towing range depends on trailer weight, frontal area, speed, wind, hills and temperature, so no single number fits every trip.
The figures below are our own illustration, not an MG claim or a test result. They simply divide the 430km WLTP figure by an assumed rise in energy use while towing.
If towing raises energy use by 50 per cent, a full battery covers about 287km. A 20 to 80 per cent fast-charge window gives about 172km.
If towing doubles energy use, a full battery covers about 215km, and a 20 to 80 per cent window gives about 129km.
If towing uses 2.5 times the energy, a full battery covers about 172km, and a 20 to 80 per cent window gives about 103km.
The fast-charge window matters most on a long trip. Our examples use the 20 to 80 per cent window from MG's headline charging claim, which is about 60 per cent of the battery each leg.
If towing doubles your energy use, that works out to a charging stop roughly every 130km. MG's own footnote also says real-world range varies with driving and conditions, even without a trailer.
Check the charging time claim before you plan a trip
MG says the U9 EV can DC fast charge in 42 minutes. Its headline copy describes that as 20 to 80 per cent, while the footnote on the same page refers to 30 to 80 per cent on a 350kW charger under standardised test conditions.
That difference changes how much range you add per stop, so ask the dealer which figure applies to the Australian car. MG also notes that real-world charging times vary with conditions.
The towing questions to ask before you buy
Before committing to any electric ute for towing, ask whether MG Australia has tested towing range with a caravan, and whether it can share the result.
Confirm the maximum towball download, payload and gross combination mass for the exact variant you are buying.
Check whether the chargers on your usual routes have pull-through bays, or whether you will need to unhitch to plug in. Ask too how the battery warranty treats regular heavy towing and frequent fast charging.
If a salesperson cannot answer the first question, assume you will be doing that testing yourself on your first trip away.
Who the MG U9 EV suits for towing
The U9 EV makes the most sense if your towing is mostly short and local: the boat to the ramp, a trailer to the tip, or a caravan to a park a couple of hundred kilometres away with charging at the end. Its 2.2kW outlets in the tub and frunk are a handy extra for work and camping.
If you regularly tow long distances through regional areas, the numbers above suggest frequent stops. A combustion-engined ute may suit that driving better.
If an electric ute is not the right fit yet, you can compare used utes in Victoria as a different route to towing capability.
How can Carseekers help?
For U9 EV pricing and grades, see our MG U9 EV price breakdown and the MG U9 model page.
Carseekers can help you compare offers on an MG U9, so you can focus on whether it actually suits the way you tow.
If you are weighing finance for an electric ute, Loanseekers can help you compare car-finance options, subject to lender criteria.
The finer details
Your questions answered.
How far can the MG U9 EV go while towing?
MG has not published a towing range for the U9 EV. Its official figure is 430km on the WLTP test without a trailer. If towing doubled energy use, a full battery would cover about 215km, but real results depend on the trailer, speed, terrain and weather.
How much can the MG U9 EV tow?
MG lists the U9 EV with up to 3500kg of braked towing capacity. Check the towball download, payload and gross combination mass for the exact variant before hitching up a heavy caravan.
How long does the MG U9 EV take to charge?
MG claims a 42-minute DC fast charge on a 350kW charger under standardised test conditions. The headline copy describes this as 20 to 80 per cent, while the footnote refers to 30 to 80 per cent, so confirm the figure with the dealer. Real-world charging times vary.
