Tovion Unveils Passenger Trailer with Integrated Electric Drive

Why It Matters

The eTrailer could eliminate the range‑penalty traditionally associated with towing electric vehicles, unlocking new use‑cases for EV owners and creating a mobile power platform for off‑grid applications.

Key Takeaways

• eTrailer provides up to 120 kW, 1,800 Nm propulsion.
• Battery options range 25‑100 kWh, CCS charging and PV roof.
• Tested on 1,500 km route, cutting consumption to 32 kWh/100 km.
• Independent maneuverability via remote control, supports 400 V off‑grid tools.
• Targeting B2B integration, seeking EU type approval as “E‑trailer”.

Pulse Analysis

The concept of an electric‑driven trailer has long been confined to heavy‑duty logistics, where eHGVs use auxiliary power units to offset load. Tovion’s eTrailer translates that technology to the passenger‑car segment, addressing a critical gap: electric SUVs and crossovers lose significant range when pulling conventional trailers. By embedding a 120 kW hub‑motor and a scalable battery system directly into the trailer, the vehicle can off‑load propulsion duties, allowing the towing car to operate near its baseline efficiency. This approach mirrors the regenerative braking advantage of EVs, but extends it to the trailer itself, creating a true plug‑and‑play solution that requires no wiring to the tow vehicle.

During a 1,500‑km demonstration on German country roads, the eTrailer’s drive system cut the towing vehicle’s energy consumption from roughly 53 kWh per 100 km to 32 kWh per 100 km. The reduction stems from the trailer’s ability to generate torque during acceleration and to recuperate energy during braking, while its roof‑mounted photovoltaic array and on‑board inverter supplied auxiliary power. The modular battery packs—available in 25‑kWh increments up to 100 kWh—offer flexibility for leisure, construction and mobile‑commerce scenarios, turning the trailer into a portable grid with both 230 V and three‑phase 400 V outputs. Such capability positions the eTrailer as a dual‑purpose asset: a conventional tow unit and a mobile energy‑storage platform.

Beyond the technical merits, the eTrailer opens a new B2B market. Trailer manufacturers can integrate Tovion’s drive module into existing product lines, while fleet operators gain a means to extend the operational envelope of electric delivery vans without sacrificing payload. The project, funded by Germany’s BMWK and moving toward EU type‑approval under Regulation 2018/858, signals regulatory momentum for “E‑trailers.” As EV adoption accelerates, solutions that preserve range while adding utility will become pivotal, and Tovion’s prototype suggests a viable pathway for commercial rollout within the next few years.