Can Electric Vehicles Tow in Australia? Everything You Need to Know

Quick answer: Yes, electric vehicles can tow in Australia, but only if your specific EV model is approved for towing by the manufacturer. The right towbar setup, wiring, vehicle ratings, and safe load advice matter more than ever.

Electric vehicles are no longer a novelty on Australian roads. From the BYD Sealion and Atto 3 through to Tesla, Polestar, Kia, Hyundai, MG and BMW, EV ownership is climbing fast across South Australia and the rest of the country. With that growth comes a fair question from caravanners, tradies and weekend adventurers alike: can an EV actually tow?

The short answer is yes. The longer answer involves a few important checks you need to make before fitting a towbar and hooking up a trailer or caravan.

At Allin Towbars, we have been designing and fitting towbars in Adelaide since 1946. We have seen the towing landscape shift from straight six petrol wagons through to today’s high-tech EVs, and we are well placed to help you tow safely with whatever you drive.

Why EVs Handle Towing So Well

Electric motors deliver pulling power instantly. There is no rev range to climb through and no turbo lag to wait out. For towing, that translates to a few real-world benefits:

• Smooth acceleration from a standing start, even with a loaded trailer
• Less lag under load when pulling away from traffic lights or boat ramps
• Strong low-speed control, which is ideal for reversing a caravan into a tight site
• Confidence pulling box trailers, light camper trailers and small caravans

For weekend gear, motorbike trailers, jet skis and lighter vans, a properly approved EV makes a capable, comfortable tow vehicle.

Before You Tow: What to Check First

Not every EV sold in Australia is approved for towing. Before fitting a towbar, you need to confirm your specific model is rated to tow. Check:

1. The owner’s manual for the towing section
2. Maximum braked towing capacity (the heaviest braked trailer the vehicle can legally tow)
3. Tow ball download (the maximum vertical weight allowed on the ball)
4. Payload limits (people, luggage and trailer downforce combined cannot exceed your GVM)
5. Manufacturer approval for the towbar model fitted

If the manufacturer has not approved towing on your particular EV, fitting a towbar can void your warranty and put your insurance cover at risk. Always check first. If you are unsure, give us a buzz and we can help work it out.

Why Manufacturer Approval Matters

EVs are engineered as a complete system. When a manufacturer signs off on towing, they have tested how the vehicle copes with the extra load across multiple systems. On EVs not approved for towing, that extra trailer weight can place added strain on:

• Regenerative braking
• Suspension components
• Stopping distance
• Battery systems under load

It is not just about whether a towbar physically fits. It is about whether the whole vehicle is engineered for safe towing. This is exactly why our team at Allin only fits towbars where the vehicle is approved to tow, and why we engineer every custom fabrication to comply with Australian Standards.

Expect More Charging Stops

Towing has a real impact on EV range. Pulling a trailer or caravan typically means:

• More battery use per kilometre
• More aerodynamic drag, especially with tall vans
• Reduced range, sometimes by 30 to 50 percent depending on weight and shape
• Smarter trip planning, with charging stops factored into your route

Heavy caravans and taller trailers will usually impact range the most. The good news is that Australia’s fast charging network is growing every year, and with a bit of planning, EV owners are completing long tows the length of the country. Lighter loads such as box trailers and smaller campers have a far smaller impact on range.

Choosing the Right Towbar for Your EV

This is where it pays to talk to a specialist. EV underbodies are different from petrol or diesel vehicles. Battery packs, cooling lines and high voltage cabling all sit in places a traditional towbar fitter might not expect.

At Allin Towbars, we:

• Use Australian-made steel wherever possible
• Engineer every towbar to comply with Australian Standards
• Match the towbar to your vehicle’s approved towing capacity
• Fit correct wiring harnesses to suit modern EV electrical systems
• Offer rear protection options where the EV bumper sits low

Browse our full range of EV towbar kits or check make-specific options for popular EVs:

• Tesla towbars
• BYD towbars
• Kia towbars

For brake controllers, wiring kits and other gear, see our towing accessories range.

Workshop and Mobile Fitting Across Adelaide

We make EV towbar fitting as easy as possible. You can:

• Bring your EV in to our Adelaide workshop at 175 Richmond Road, Richmond
• Book a mobile installation anywhere from the Adelaide Hills through to Gawler, Mount Barker and Noarlunga
• Order online with Australia-wide shipping for DIY-capable customers

Whichever option suits you, our team will make sure your towbar is fitted correctly, your wiring is sound, and your EV is genuinely tow-ready.

The Bottom Line

Can EVs tow in Australia? Absolutely, as long as your specific EV model is approved for towing. Always check your owner’s manual for vehicle towing capacity and the other towing requirements before booking a fit. If your EV is approved, you can pull a caravan, a trailer, or another car just as you would with a petrol or diesel vehicle. With instant torque on tap, many EVs tow smoothly from take-off and feel confident on the open road.

If you are keen to set your EV up for towing, get in touch with the team that has been doing this since 1946.

Keen About Towing With An EV?

The right towbar setup, wiring, ratings, and safe load advice matter more than ever. We will help get your EV tow-ready.

Give Allin a buzz!

Call us: 08 8352 5155
Visit us: 175 Richmond Road, Richmond, SA 5033
Book online: Contact our team

Mobile installations available across Adelaide Metro, Adelaide Hills, Gawler, Mount Barker and Noarlunga.