Electric car with a caravan: do the batteries change the licence?

A car does not get a different licence rule merely because it is electric or heavier due to its battery. Italian B, code 96 and BE thresholds use the maximum authorised masses of the combination under Article 116. You must also respect the electric car’s own approved towing mass and hitch limits.

The electric-vehicle allowance is limited

Italian law provides a limited allowance for some alternatively fuelled vehicles: under specific conditions, a category B licence can cover certain vehicles up to 4,250 kg without a trailer when the excess mass is due to the alternative propulsion system. This is not a general permission to tow a caravan in a combination exceeding B limits. When a trailer is attached, the specific Article 116 branches for combinations apply.

Add the maximum authorised masses shown for the car and caravan. A trailer up to 750 kg follows the statutory branch for that size; with a heavier trailer, check the 3,500 kg B limit, the code 96 extension for specified totals above 3,500 kg and no more than 4,250 kg, or BE for combinations above that, subject to its conditions. These are licence thresholds, not the electric car’s technical towing rating.

Example: an electric car has a maximum authorised mass of 2,700 kg and a caravan is rated at 1,200 kg. The authorised total is 3,900 kg. You cannot rely on the 4,250 kg allowance for an electric vehicle without a trailer; check whether code 96 is required, then verify that the car is approved to tow that caravan and what towing mass the manufacturer specifies.

Check towing approval and vehicle data

Read the car documents for maximum towing mass and vertical hitch load. Verify the tow bar, axle limits and caravan mass. An electric car’s towing capability depends on its model and approval, not on the licence category. Towing can also reduce range, but a generic estimate does not establish whether the setup complies with the law.

If the registration document does not show an approved towing mass or does not allow the hitch, do not install one based only on holding B or BE. Ask the manufacturer and an authorised installer. Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps you revise licence categories and trailer rules; the exact approval data must be checked for your car.

Quiz Patente Ufficiale offers quizzes and review of common rules for licence categories and towing.