Tesla’s popular electric crossover Model Y just went viral when people took a video of it towing a full-size tractor-trailer in Harlingen, Texas.
What happened?
Bystanders uploaded the video on the popular social media platform Tiktok and tagged the local 956 area code. One of the uploaders is Capital Towing LLC, the firm that resolved the odd event. Refer to the video reuploaded in X below:
Capital Towing’s employee reportedly said that the company got a call from the Texas Department of Safety Wednesday evening to ask for one of their semi-tow rigs.
“When they called us in to dispatch, they told us we needed a heavy wrecker out there, but we need it just for the trailer. I said, ‘Well, what about the semi?’ They said, ‘No, it’s a Tesla.’ I asked if it was a Tesla truck and she said, ‘No, a Tesla.’ I thought I wasn’t understanding. But sure enough, they went out there and it was a Tesla car towing that trailer.”
A Capital Towing employee (via R&T)
As a result, the local authorities impounded the Tesla Model Y and the heavy-duty unit in Harlingen on Wednesday night after it towed the semi-trailer.
About the Tesla Model Y in question
As mentioned, the Tesla that caused a stir in Harlingen’s roads is the all-electric crossover Model Y. It has a dual motor powertrain with only a towing capacity of up to 3500 lbs using a 2″ receiver hitch.
In comparison, Electrek noted that even an empty semi-trailer already weighs 10,000-15,000 pounds. That considered, the Tesla Model Y would really have a hard time handling the weight of a full-size semi-trailer.
EVs’ towing weakness
Electric automakers have yet to improve electric vehicles’ towing capabilities, especially in heavy capacity.
There is no doubt that EVs can pull them, but it significantly affects their battery range. Therefore, most owners really do not consider using their EVs to tow heavy-duty vehicles.
Nonetheless, the growing popularity of electric pickup trucks may finally advance the towing prowess of battery-powered models. It includes the Tesla Cybertruck with a range extender and the Chevy Silverado Electric.
Thankfully, the odd event did not cause any collisions. However, the driver of the Tesla Model Y “was no longer with the unit” when Capital Towing arrived. The impound lot will keep the Tesla SUV and the semi-trailer until authorities find the driver in question.
