More businesses than ever are moving to electric and hybrid vehicles for work use – from company cars and vans to grey-fleet vehicles. It’s great for running costs and emissions, but it also introduces new risks and knowledge gaps, especially if your drivers tow trailers, plant, display units, caravans for work travel, horseboxes, or equipment trailers.
At Towing Solutions, we’re towing specialists first – and EV-aware by design. We deliver IMI certificated EV & Hybrid driver training that’s built around real-world driving, safety and compliance, with practical guidance that makes sense for drivers and managers.
Why EV/Hybrid “Driving for Work” is different
EVs and hybrids behave differently to petrol or diesel vehicles. That doesn’t mean they’re difficult – but drivers do need the right knowledge. In a work context, that matters because employers have a duty to manage road risk, and driver competence is a key control measure. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is clear that driving for work is a major workplace risk and should be managed like any other safety activity.
HSE guidance: Driving and riding safely for work (employers)
HSE: The law and how it is regulated (driving for work)
For EV and hybrid drivers, “what you need to know” typically includes:
- Regenerative braking and how it changes stopping feel and following distances
- Vehicle weight (EVs can be heavier), payload planning, and towing implications
- Torque delivery (instant torque) and smooth control when towing
- Range impact from load, speed, gradients, temperature, and towing
- Charging planning for work routes and trailer-friendly access
- ADAS and safety systems – what helps, what can mislead, and how to use them properly
EV/Hybrid towing: why training matters
Towing with an EV or hybrid is absolutely achievable – in many cases it’s a very stable and confident towing experience. But the physics still apply, and EV/hybrid specifics can catch drivers out if they’ve never been trained:
- Range can drop significantly when towing – especially at motorway speeds
- Higher vehicle mass affects braking distances and momentum on descents
- Trailer stability is influenced by loading, nose weight, speed and driver inputs
- Licence entitlement and legal limits must still be checked (vehicle + trailer combinations)
To help drivers and managers stay compliant, GOV.UK provides clear towing rules and guidance on what can be towed and the limits involved:
- GOV.UK: Towing rules (licence and age requirements)
- GOV.UK: Towing with a car (what you can tow)
- GOV.UK: Towing weight and width limits
- GOV.UK: Driving licence categories
Towing Solutions: EV & Hybrid training built for the workplace
We work with organisations who need drivers to be competent, safe and confident in EV and hybrid vehicles – especially where towing is part of the job.
Our EV and hybrid training is designed for:
- Company drivers using EV/hybrid cars or vans
- Grey fleet drivers using their own EV/hybrid vehicle for work
- Supervisors and managers responsible for fleet safety and compliance
- Drivers towing trailers as part of their role (equipment, signage, plant, etc.)
Key benefit: our courses are IMI certificated, giving businesses confidence in consistent standards and recordable competence for internal compliance.
Our IMI certificated EV & Hybrid courses (with towing awareness)
1) IMI EV & Hybrid Van Driver and Trailer Awareness
This course is designed for drivers who operate EV or hybrid vans and tow as part of their role. It focuses on safe driving behaviours, EV-specific handling and braking characteristics, towing considerations, and real-world work driving risk reduction.
Course link: IMI EV & Hybrid Van Driver and Trailer Awareness
2) Electric Vehicle & Hybrid Van Driver Training
Ideal for organisations introducing EV/hybrid vehicles into the fleet (or transitioning from diesel). Drivers gain practical understanding of EV/hybrid systems, safe operation, efficiency, and confident use in daily work driving environments.
Course link: Electric Vehicle & Hybrid Van Driver Training
Charging and route planning for work drivers
Work driving needs reliable planning. For EV/hybrid drivers, that includes charging access at depots, yards, employee homes (where relevant), and on-route planning for longer days – and towing can make this even more important.
If your organisation is expanding EV use, it’s worth knowing about the government’s workplace chargepoint support and guidance:
- GOV.UK: Electric vehicle chargepoint grants (Workplace Charging Scheme)
- GOV.UK: Apply for an EV chargepoint grant for your workplace
Clean Air Zones and compliance: what fleets need to consider
One driver benefit of EVs (and many hybrids) is reduced exposure to emissions charges in certain areas. That said, rules vary by location, vehicle type and emissions standard – and compliance is a management responsibility when vehicles are driven for work.
What “good” looks like for EV/Hybrid driving at work
For businesses, the goal isn’t just “drivers can operate the vehicle”. The goal is competence, consistency, safety culture and reduced risk. A strong approach typically includes:
- Driver induction and refresher training (including EV-specific behaviours)
- Towing competence where trailers are used (loading, stability, reversing, legal checks)
- Journey planning and fatigue controls
- Vehicle checks, tyres, and trailer condition
- Clear policies for driving behaviour, charging, and reporting defects
HSE’s “driving for work” guidance provides a useful framework for employers building practical controls:
FAQ: EV / Hybrid driving for work (and towing) – what you need to know
1) Do EV and hybrid drivers need additional training for work driving?
It’s strongly recommended. EVs and hybrids introduce different braking behaviour (regen), weight and torque characteristics, plus charging and route planning considerations. For employers, competence is a key part of managing occupational road risk. HSE guidance supports training as part of risk management.
2) Can you tow with an electric vehicle or hybrid?
Often yes – if the vehicle is type-approved for towing and you stay within the manufacturer’s towing limits and the legal limits. Always check your vehicle’s towing capacity and your licence entitlement. GOV.UK explains towing rules and what combinations you can legally tow.
3) How do I check towing weight limits and legal dimensions?
Use official guidance and the vehicle/trailer plates for Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM). GOV.UK has a clear overview of towing weight/width/length limits for cars and combinations.
GOV.UK: Towing weight and width limits
4) Will towing reduce EV range?
Yes – typically. The amount depends on speed, trailer weight, wind, gradients, temperature and driving style. Part of our training is helping drivers plan journeys realistically and drive smoothly to reduce energy use.
5) What should businesses consider for charging at work?
Depot/workplace charging strategy, driver access, scheduling, and safety processes. There may also be government support for workplace chargepoints.
6) Do Clean Air Zones affect work drivers?
They can. Rules depend on the city, vehicle class and emissions standard. If staff drive into CAZ areas for work, it’s worth checking compliance and charges as part of journey planning.
7) Which Towing Solutions course is best for EV/hybrid drivers who tow?
If towing is part of the role, start with our IMI EV & Hybrid Van Driver and Trailer Awareness course. If the focus is broader EV/hybrid competence for the workplace (with or without towing), our Electric Vehicle & Hybrid Van Driver Training course is ideal.
Next steps
If your organisation is introducing EVs/hybrids, or if you already have drivers using them for work (especially with trailers), the best next step is to formalise competence through training that’s practical, towing-aware and IMI certificated.
Explore our courses:
Need help choosing the right course for your fleet? Get in touch with Towing Solutions and we’ll point you to the best option based on your vehicles, trailer use and driver roles.