Popular electric cars like the Tesla Model 3 and VW ID.7 struggle with low payload due to the weight of the battery. This limits luggage and passengers. Check the weight of your car.
All cars have a weight limit. It is called the car's gross vehicle weight. It is important to know that limit.
Especially when packing for the holidays. Many electric cars, such as the Tesla Model 3 and Volkswagen ID.7, have challenges with their weight and thus their payload.
This means that there is less space for luggage and passengers than expected.
The permissible gross vehicle weight covers the car's own weight, fuel or battery, passengers and all luggage.
The part that is occupied by passengers and luggage is called the payload. The size of the payload varies greatly from car to car. You can find this information in the car's registration certificate.
Many people are not aware that electric cars often have a lower payload than fossil-fuel cars. This is primarily due to the weight of the large battery pack.
The battery can weigh several hundred kilograms. That weight takes up a large part of the car's total weight capacity.
The difference in payload is significant. This is shown by a calculation by the Norwegian Road Traffic Council (OFV). Diesel cars can carry an average of 30.7 percent more payload than electric cars.
Petrol cars also have an advantage over electric cars. They can carry an average of 16.8 percent more weight. The average payload of petrol cars is 529 kilograms, according to OFV figures.
A very clear limitation for electric cars
There are several examples of electric cars with surprisingly low payloads. Older generations of the Tesla Model 3 can only 'tolerate' 300 kilos of payload.
With four adult passengers on board, there is almost no weight left for luggage. It has improved in recent years, but not by much.
Another example is the large SUV BYD Sealion 7. It has a spacious trunk. But the payload is limited to only 320 kilos. That's only 20 kilos more than the cheapest electric car you can get in Europe. The Chinese Dongfeng Box.
The Volkswagen ID.7 Pro is also a large car. It is almost five meters long. The luggage compartment is very large. Yet the payload is limited to 362 kilograms.
Many electric cars are approaching their maximum payload with five people in the car. That leaves very little or no weight left for luggage. It's worth considering for a long trip.
The vehicle's weight limit is for safety reasons. The vehicle is designed to handle a certain load. Exceeding the permitted total weight can have consequences.
How to check your car's payload yourself
An overloaded car can behave unpredictably on the road. Critical parts such as wheels, suspension and brakes are put under unnecessary strain.
This can lead to injuries and increased risk. You are simply driving in a less safe car.
If you are stopped at a checkpoint for overloading, it can be expensive. You could be fined. You will also be asked to leave passengers or luggage behind. This must be done until the vehicle's weight is within the permitted limit.
Also remember that optional equipment affects the car's weight. A towbar or a large sunroof weigh extra.
This reduces the available payload. Two otherwise identical cars can therefore have different payloads. Year of manufacture can also play a role.
It's easy to check your own car's specific payload. The information is in part 1 of your registration certificate under item G "permitted total weight" and item F2 "kerb weight".
The difference between the two figures is close to the actual payload, however, you typically have to subtract 75 kg for the driver from the difference to find the actual weight for passengers and luggage.
If you are still in doubt, you can always look up the same information in the Danish Motor Register, which is also available to the public.
Knowing your car's payload is crucial for safe driving, especially when packing the car for vacation or moving.
Unfortunately, overloading is nothing new on the roads. But it varies greatly what drivers are stopped for. A few years ago, a trip to Germany, for example, became very expensive when a driver was stopped at the border with half a ton of cargo. Read more about it here .
