When it comes to towing, not all 2026 GMC Sierra EV pickups are created equal

Tow ratings on the 2026 GMC Sierra EV swing from a towering 12,500 lbs. to a just so-so 8,500 lbs. — a two-ton gap. If you’re buying one to haul, you’ll want to pay close attention, because we’ve got the full breakdown for you right here.

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If you know anything about electric motors and how they deliver 100% of their torque (the twisting force produced by a motor) at 0 rpm, you probably feel like EVs should make exceptionally good vehicles for towing and hauling. In reality, they do – which is what electric terminal tractors, garbage trucks, and semi trucks are busy proving every day.

Perception lags reality however, and the general consensus among the John Q. Publics is still that EVs “can’t” tow, or that if you want to tow something big, ICE is still the king.

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And, while it is definitely true that the added weight of heavy trailers has a negative impact on range, heavy loads also hurt a gas or diesel engine’s miles per gallon (especially at low speeds). That often-overlooked fact, combined with more and more electric pickups being seen hauling ATVs and travel trailers to campgrounds while Tesla Cybertrucks flex their electric muscles against Porsches (while towing Porsches) on YouTube, are starting to convince people that this particular king may have no clothes.

Take the GMC Sierra EV lineup, for example. Quietly introduced last fall, the new-for-2025 Elevation and AT4 model Sierra EVs are built on the same BT1 platform as the range record-setting Chevy Silverado EV, with only minor mechanical tweaks to set it apart for the three-letter bandits out there. In its “base” Elevation Extended Range trim, the big GMC EV offers a stout, 12,500 lb. towing capacity — 1,170 lbs. more than the top-rated half-ton RAM pickup.

But, if you’re planning on towing with your Sierra EV (or your ICE-powered RAM, for that matter), you’ll want to watch those options. Switching to an Elevation Standard Range drops your tow rating a massive, 4,000 lbs. All the way down to 8,500 lbs. (!)

You can check out the full breakdown, below.

2026 GMC Sierra EV tow ratings

As you’re towing, it’s important to remember that safe towing depends on a lot of factors. Loading and connecting your trailer for maximum stability, ensuring your tires, brakes, and lighting are working correctly, and using proper driving techniques are critical to staying safe on the road — and, while GM features like Tow/Haul mode, Integrated Trailer Brake Control, and Trailer Sway Control can help, they are no replacement for a cool, attentive brain behind the steering wheel.

Make no assumptions, and do your research before you hit the road.

Wait, what about range?

The reality is that towing — especially towing near or at your vehicle’s maximum capacity — is going to hurt your range. That’s true whether you’re talking about ICE or electric, but with fossil fuels still enjoying much greater visibility than fast charging, it feels like a bigger issue for an EV.

The best advice I can give here is that slower is better, and you’ll see much better range performance towing at 55 mph than you will at 70 mph. That’s especially true if whatever it is you’re hauling isn’t especially aerodynamic, because drag increases with the square of speed. That means if you double your speed, drag increases by four times. So, at 60 mph, drag is four times as much as it is at 30 mph, and drag is what kills EV range, as Chevy’s own experiment shows.

So yes, towing with an EV comes with trade-offs, but the benefits of towing something with a 2026 GMC Sierra EV include modern safety and trailer controls, quiet power, and instant torque wrapped in a package that can pull up to 12,500 pounds. That is serious work-truck territory, kids. And, as charging networks expand and the trucks themselves continue to improve, the old myth that “EVs can’t tow” will keep looking more outdated.

The bottom line: if you pick the right trim and drive smart, the Sierra EV is every bit the hauler its badge promises.

SOURCE | IMAGES: GM; via GM Authority.

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