MG MGU9 EV towing range takes a hit

The 2026 MGU9 EV ute launches this week with 430km WLTP range and 3500kg towing, but MG itself concedes range will be noticeably reduced when towing at highway speeds. Given a 50 to 60 per cent EV range reduction (or more) when towing at highway speeds is the EV norm, this could mean the new MGU9 EV ute has a realistic 200km range (or less) towing a large caravan on the Big Lap. The MGU9’s relatively slow 115kW DC charging capacity and issues with public charging with a large trailer hitched have not been addressed.

MG Motor Australia admits that its new MGU9 EV ute, on sale later this week, will have a noticeable range reduction when towing heavy trailers, despite also saying that its new EV will have the “capability and the versatility that ute owners expect”.

“In reality, when we talk about towing range, you always need to respect any of the influences," CEO of MG Motor Australia Qing Zhang told carsales at the national launch of the MGU9 EV ute last week.

"How much weight are you towing? How fast are you driving? We are expecting a decent noticeable discount for the range."

"I can’t give an indicated number for that because there’s a number of factors that I have mentioned. So I will encourage that every customer build their own understanding for the towing range, based on their lifestyle… we can’t go against the physical laws," Zang said.

When asked if range could have been improved with a larger battery in the MGU9 EV, Zhang said that returns were marginal.

“We are having marginal return, like a diminishing return, while you continue to increase the battery size, because the battery itself adds weight."

"It also requires decent space to package that, as well as the protection. You are carrying the heavier battery, so the range doesn’t increase linearly as you increase battery size. It’s not proportional," Zang said.

"You also need to consider payload. I could get another 30kWh of battery, but have to reduce the payload by 150kg.”

Marketing Director at MG Motor Australia Dimitri Andreatidis said that the MGU9 EV will address the needs of ute owners, including towing and travelling longer distances – although it should be noted that he did not say ‘towing over long distances’.

“For many, it comes down to having the confidence that an electric ute can meet their needs, whether that’s towing, travelling longer distances, or handling the demands of everyday life," he said.

"Ute buyers want the benefits of going electric without having to change the way they use their vehicle. So that’s the opportunity the MGU9 EV is designed to address. It brings together the benefits of electric driving, with the capability and the versatility that ute owners expect.”

The 2026 MGU9 EV has an on-paper advantage among its narrow EV ute competitor set (the KGM Musso EV and Toyota HiLux BEV) with the best range and towing figures (a 430km WLTP range and 3500kg towing capacity), but its realistic range will, like all EVs, be significantly reduced – in this case, to about 200km – when driving at higher speeds with a payload and a large trailer.

The 115kW DC charging rate (with claimed charging from 20-80 per cent in 42 minutes) and logistical problems of public charging with a large trailer are also inhibitors to recreational (or even commercial) long-distance towing.

How much does the 2027 MGU9 EV cost?
MGU9 EV – $78,990
*Prices exclude on-road costs.

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