TOW car drivers are in danger of being left behind in the charge towards electrification.

That's the warning ofthe Camping and Caravanning Club and motoring magazine What Car? as the results of their annual Tow Car Awards are revealed.

This year, a panel of expert car reviewers and caravanners tested 36 models towing a fleet of, putting them through a rigorous programme that included handling at speed, hill starts and emergency stops.

The field included 10 fully electric vehicles (EVs). But while EVs from Kia and Skoda scooped awards in this year's tests, towing long distances with an EV can be a challenge.

"There's a real danger that the needs of caravanners and other tow car drivers will be forgotten," warned What Car? editor Steve Huntingford. "The best electric cars are stable and can pull caravans and trailers with ease, but not enough is being done to make switching to an EV a smooth and enjoyable experience for those who tow."

Although there are now close to 80,000 chargers in the UK at nearly 40,000 locations, there is only a small minority of pull-through bays designed for drivers to charge with a caravan or trailer attached. At most motorway services, caravanners must unhitch their caravan to drive to chargers, adding inconvenience and leaving the caravan vulnerable to theft unless the owner takes security precautions.

What Car? and the Camping and the Caravanning Club are encouraging the Government and motorway service stations to consider the needs of caravanners and other tow car drivers by adding more pull-through EV charging bays with enough space for a car and trailer.

"It's not just about caravanners," said Rob Ganley, head of publications for the Camping and Caravanning Club. "Better infrastructure for EV-driving owners of horseboxes, boats, and all kinds of trailers is needed."

The best electric cars on test were theSkoda Elroq and the Kia EV9.

The Skoda won the prize for the best EV with a towing capacity of up to 1200kg, while the Kia was the top electric car with a towing capacity of more than 1200kg.

Skoda also took the top award, with the Kodiaq diesel 4x4 named the overall winner. "Every one of this year's award winners is a very fine car, but none can claim a more complete range of talents than the brilliantSkoda Kodiaq," said Hunttingford.