Towing with an EV: What each car can tow
Most electric cars that are rated to tow in Australia can pull 750 to 1,600 kg, enough for a box trailer, jet ski or small camper, and about one in five isn't rated to tow at all. Only 16 electric and plug-in models are rated for 2,500 kg or more, the weight of a typical family caravan. Expect your range to roughly halve while towing, and plan to unhitch at most fast chargers. For regular long trips with a big van, a plug-in hybrid or diesel is still the easier choice.
How much each EV and plug-in can tow
Braked towing is for a trailer with its own brakes (most caravans, boats on braked trailers). Figures are for Australian-delivered cars as published by the maker or reported by Australian motoring media, November 2026. Ratings change with model updates and can differ by version, so confirm the exact car's figure (on the compliance plate, in the owner's manual or with the dealer) before you tow. A dash means no maximum tow ball figure was published.
| Car | Braked towing | Max tow ball | Which versions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 Lightning Electric | 2,500–4,500 kg | – | Lightning Pro 2,500 kg; other 4,500 kg |
| BYD Shark 6 Plug-in | 2,500–3,500 kg | – | Performance 3,500 kg; Dynamic and Premium 2,500 kg |
| Denza B8 Plug-in | 3,500 kg | – | 3,500 kg braked |
| Ford Ranger PHEV Plug-in | 3,500 kg | 350 kg | 3,500 kg braked, 350 kg tow ball |
| GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV Plug-in | 3,500 kg | 350 kg | 3,500 kg braked |
| JAC Hunter PHEV Plug-in | 3,500 kg | – | 3,500 kg braked |
| MG U9 EV Electric | 3,500 kg | – | Dual-motor AWD electric ute |
| Porsche Cayenne Electric Electric | 3,500 kg | – | Base, S and Turbo Electric |
| GWM Cannon Hi4-T PHEV Plug-in | 3,500 kg | – | 3,500 kg braked; 835 kg payload |
| Denza B5 Plug-in | 3,000 kg | – | 3,000 kg braked |
| BMW iX Electric | 2,500 kg | – | All variants 2,500 kg |
| Hyundai Ioniq 9 Electric | 2,500 kg | 125 kg | 2,500 kg braked |
| Kia EV9 Electric | 900–2,500 kg | – | Earth, GT-Line and GT 2,500 kg; Air 900 kg |
| Porsche Macan Electric Electric | 2,000–2,500 kg | – | MY26 AWD variants 2,500 kg; RWD Macan Electric 2,000 kg |
| Mazda CX-60 P50e Plug-in | 2,500 kg | – | P50e plug-in hybrid 2,500 kg braked |
| Mazda CX-80 P50e Plug-in | 2,500 kg | – | P50e plug-in hybrid 2,500 kg braked |
| Audi Q6 e-tron Electric | 2,000–2,400 kg | – | RWD/Performance 2,000 kg; quattro 2,400 kg |
| Genesis GV60 Electric | 1,600–2,400 kg | – | Most variants 1,600 kg; Magma 2,400 kg |
| Mercedes-Benz GLC electric Electric | 2,400 kg | – | GLC 400 4Matic |
| Volvo EX60 Electric | 2,000–2,400 kg | – | P10 AWD 2,400 kg; P6 RWD 2,000 kg |
| Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid Plug-in | 2,400 kg | – | T8 2,400 kg braked |
| Lotus Emeya Electric | 2,250 kg | – | Base, S and R |
| Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-in Hybrid Plug-in | 2,250 kg | – | T8 2,250 kg braked |
| Polestar 3 Electric | 2,200 kg | 100 kg | All grades |
| Volvo EX90 Electric | 2,200 kg | 100 kg | All grades |
| BMW i5 Electric | 1,500–2,000 kg | – | eDrive40 1,500 kg; M60 xDrive 2,000 kg |
| BMW i7 Electric | Up to 2,000 kg | – | xDrive60 2,000 kg; M70 not rated to tow |
| BMW iX3 Electric | 2,000 kg | – | New-gen iX3 2,000 kg |
| BYD Sealion 8 Plug-in | 1,800–2,000 kg | – | Dynamic FWD 1,800 kg; AWD 2,000 kg |
| Polestar 4 Electric | 1,500–2,000 kg | 100 kg | Long Range Dual Motor 2,000 kg; Long Range Single Motor 1,500 kg |
| Toyota HiLux EV Electric | 2,000 kg | – | SR5 BEV |
| Zeekr 7X Electric | 2,000 kg | – | All grades |
| Genesis Electrified GV70 Electric | 1,800 kg | – | Electrified GV70 1,800 kg |
| KGM Musso EV Electric | 1,800 kg | 180 kg | 1,800 kg braked |
| Kia EV6 Electric | 1,600–1,800 kg | 100 kg | GT 1,800 kg; Air, GT-Line RWD and GT-Line AWD 1,600 kg |
| Volvo EX40 Electric | 1,500–1,800 kg | – | Twin Motor AWD 1,800 kg; Single Motor RWD 1,500 kg |
| BMW i4 Electric | 1,600 kg | – | All variants 1,600 kg |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 Electric | 1,600 kg | 100 kg | MY27 Elite, Premium, N Line 1,600 kg |
| Mercedes-Benz EQS Electric | 1,600 kg | – | |
| Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Plug-in | 1,600 kg | 160 kg | All PHEV grades |
| Smart #1 Electric | 1,600 kg | – | Pro+, Premium and Brabus |
| Smart #3 Electric | 1,600 kg | – | Pro+, Premium and Brabus |
| Smart #5 Electric | 1,600 kg | – | All variants 1,600 kg |
| Tesla Model Y Electric | 1,600 kg | – | With tow package; all variants |
| Volkswagen ID. Buzz Electric | 1,000–1,600 kg | – | GTX LWB AWD 1,600 kg; Pro SWB and Cargo SWB 1,200 kg; Pro LWB 1,000 kg |
| Volvo ES90 Electric | 1,600 kg | – | 1,600 kg |
| Volvo EX30 Electric | 1,600 kg | – | |
| Zeekr 7GT Electric | 1,600 kg | – | |
| Zeekr X Electric | 1,600 kg | – | RWD and AWD |
| Tesla Model Y L Electric | 1,588 kg | – | 1,588 kg with Tesla's tow package |
| BYD Atto 3 Electric | 750–1,500 kg | – | Evo Dynamic 750 kg; Evo Premium AWD 1,500 kg |
| BYD Seal Electric | 750–1,500 kg | – | |
| Cadillac Lyriq Electric | 1,500 kg | – | 1,500 kg braked |
| Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid Plug-in | 1,500 kg | 75 kg | 1,500 kg braked |
| Deepal E07 Electric | 1,500 kg | – | RWD and AWD Performance 1,500 kg |
| Deepal S07 Electric | 1,500 kg | – | 1,500 kg braked |
| Forthing Taikon 5 Electric | 1,500 kg | – | Electric 1,500 kg; range-extender version has no published rating |
| GWM Haval H6 GT PHEV Plug-in | 1,500 kg | – | 1,500 kg braked |
| GWM Haval H6 PHEV Plug-in | 1,500 kg | – | All PHEV variants 1,500 kg |
| GWM Haval H7 PHEV Plug-in | 1,500 kg | – | 1,500 kg braked |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 Electric | 750–1,500 kg | 100 kg | 2WD 750 kg; AWD 1,500 kg |
| IM5 Electric | 1,500 kg | – | All variants 1,500 kg |
| IM6 Electric | 1,500 kg | – | 1,500 kg braked |
| KGM Torres EVX Electric | 1,500 kg | 150 kg | 1,500 kg braked |
| Leapmotor C10 REEV Plug-in | 1,500 kg | – | Design and Style REEV |
| Leapmotor C10 Electric | 1,500 kg | – | All C10 EV grades |
| Lexus RZ Electric | 1,500 kg | – | 2026 facelift RZ500e and RZ550e |
| Mazda 6e Electric | 1,500 kg | – | All grades |
| Mazda CX-6e Electric | 1,500 kg | – | All grades |
| MG HS Super Hybrid Plug-in | 1,500 kg | – | Plug-in hybrid |
| MG S6 EV Electric | 1,500 kg | – | Essence RWD and AWD |
| Mini Countryman Electric Electric | 1,500 kg | – | Countryman SE ALL4 |
| Nissan Ariya Electric | 750–1,500 kg | – | Evolve e-4ORCE AWD 1,500 kg; Engage, Advance and Advance+ 2WD 750 kg |
| Omoda 9 Super Hybrid Plug-in | 1,500 kg | – | Single SHS-P grade |
| Polestar 2 Electric | 1,500 kg | 90 kg | Single and Dual Motor |
| Subaru Solterra Electric | 1,500 kg | 150 kg | All variants 1,500 kg |
| Subaru Trailseeker Electric | 1,500 kg | – | 1,500 kg with Subaru's genuine towbar |
| Subaru Uncharted Electric | 1,500 kg | 150 kg | 1,500 kg |
| Toyota bZ4X Touring Electric | 1,500 kg | – | 1,500 kg |
| Toyota bZ4X Electric | 750–1,500 kg | – | AWD 1,500 kg; 2WD 750 kg |
| Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid Plug-in | 800–1,500 kg | – | AWD 1,500 kg; 2WD 800 kg |
| Xpeng G6 Electric | 1,500 kg | – | |
| Xpeng L03 Power-X Plug-in | 1,500 kg | – | 1,500 kg |
| Xpeng L03 Electric | 1,500 kg | – | |
| Xpeng X9 Electric | 1,500 kg | – | 1,500 kg |
| BYD M9 Plug-in | 1,500 kg | – | 1,500 kg braked |
| Lexus RX 450h+ Plug-in | 1,500 kg | – | 1,500 kg braked |
| BYD Sealion 6 Plug-in | 750–1,300 kg | – | Essential/Dynamic 750 kg; Premium 1,300 kg |
| Hyundai Elexio Electric | 1,250 kg | 100 kg | 1,250 kg braked; genuine towbar required |
| Jaecoo J5 EV Electric | 1,250 kg | – | Summit EV 1,250 kg braked |
| Kia EV5 Electric | 300–1,250 kg | – | Air Standard Range 300 kg; Long Range 1,250 kg |
| Audi Q4 e-tron Electric | 1,000–1,200 kg | – | |
| BMW iX1 Electric | 750–1,200 kg | – | eDrive20 750 kg; xDrive30 1,200 kg |
| BMW iX2 Electric | 750–1,200 kg | – | eDrive20 750 kg; xDrive30 1,200 kg |
| Cupra Tavascan Electric | 1,000–1,200 kg | 75 kg | Endurance 1,000 kg; VZ 1,200 kg |
| Skoda Elroq Electric | 1,000–1,200 kg | 75 kg | |
| Skoda Enyaq Electric | 1,000–1,200 kg | 75 kg | RS AWD 1,200 kg; Select RWD 1,000 kg |
| Renault Megane E-Tech Electric | 900–1,100 kg | – | Esprit Alpine 1,100 kg; Techno EV60 900 kg |
| Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric | 1,100 kg | – | All grades |
| Kia Sorento PHEV Plug-in | 1,010 kg | 100 kg | Cut from 1,350 kg to 1,010 kg with the 2025 Euro 6 update |
| Kia EV3 Electric | 500–1,000 kg | 100 kg | Standard Range 500 kg; Long Range 1,000 kg |
| Kia EV4 Electric | 500–1,000 kg | 100 kg | Air Standard Range 500 kg; Long Range Earth/GT-Line 1,000 kg |
| LDV eT60 Electric | 1,000 kg | 100 kg | Single RWD dual-cab variant |
| LDV Mifa 9 Electric | 1,000 kg | – | All grades |
| Tesla Model 3 Electric | 1,000 kg | – | All variants 1,000 kg with Tesla's tow package |
| Volkswagen ID.4 Electric | 1,000 kg | – | Pro 1,000 kg; GTX rating not confirmed |
| BYD Atto 2 DM-i Plug-in | 750 kg | – | 750 kg braked |
| BYD Atto 2 Electric | 750 kg | – | Dynamic and Premium 750 kg |
| BYD Seal 6 Plug-in | 750 kg | – | 750 kg braked |
| BYD Sealion 5 Plug-in | 750 kg | – | 750 kg braked and unbraked |
| BYD Sealion 7 Electric | 750 kg | – | |
| Chery E5 Electric | 750 kg | – | Urban and Ultimate 750 kg |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E Electric | 750 kg | – | 750 kg |
| Geely EX5 Electric | Up to 750 kg | – | Towbar version 750 kg; other versions not rated |
| GWM Ora 5 Electric | 750 kg | – | 750 kg braked and unbraked |
| Hyundai Kona Electric Electric | Up to 750 kg | 100 kg | Extended Range 750 kg braked/300 kg unbraked; Standard Range not rated |
| Kia Niro EV Electric | 750 kg | – | All Niro EV grades 750 kg braked |
| Lepas L6 Electric | 750 kg | – | 750 kg |
| Mercedes-Benz EQA Electric | 750 kg | – | All EQA 250+ grades; braked and unbraked both 750 kg |
| Mercedes-Benz EQB Electric | 750 kg | – | Current Australian EQB 250+ 750 kg; earlier five-seat EQBs were rated higher |
| MG S5 EV Electric | 750 kg | – | All grades |
| Mini Aceman Electric | 750 kg | – | Aceman E and SE |
| Suzuki e Vitara Electric | 750 kg | – | All variants 750 kg |
| Zeekr 009 Electric | 750 kg | – | 750 kg |
| Cadillac Optiq Electric | 680 kg | – | 680 kg braked/unbraked |
| MG4 Electric | 500 kg | – | All grades including XPower |
Light unbraked trailers only (no braked rating): Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid (750 kg), Jaecoo J7 Super Hybrid (750 kg).
Not rated to tow in Australia: Abarth 500e, Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica, BYD Atto 1, BYD Dolphin, Cupra Born, Denza D9, Fiat 500e, GAC Aion UT, GAC Aion V, GAC M8, Geely EX2, Geely Starray EM-i, GWM Ora, Honda Super-ONE, Hyundai Inster, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, Hyundai Ioniq 6 N, Jeep Avenger, Leapmotor B10, Mercedes-Benz G 580, MG Cyberster, Mini Cooper Electric, Peugeot e-2008, Porsche Taycan.
How far you'll get towing
Towing roughly doubles the energy an EV uses, so plan on about half the usual range. In one test reported by WhichCar, a BMW iX towing a 1,600 kg caravan used about twice its normal energy, halving its real-world range; a Volvo XC40 Recharge towing a 1,700 kg boat used more than double at highway speeds.
- Shape matters more than weight. A tall, square caravan pushes a lot of air. A low camper trailer or boat costs far less range than a full-height van of the same weight.
- Slow down. Air resistance climbs fast with speed: 90 km/h instead of 110 km/h makes a big difference to range when towing.
- Hills and headwinds cost more than usual; downhill, regenerative braking gets some back.
- Diesels use more too, often close to double with a big van, but their tanks go further and refuelling is quick.
To check a trip, halve your car's real-world highway range and compare it with the gaps between chargers on our road trip pages.
Charging with a trailer or caravan
- Most fast chargers aren't drive-through. Bays are made for a car on its own, so you'll usually need to unhitch nearby, charge, then hitch up again. Don't block other bays with the trailer.
- Stop more often. With range halved, a 150 km gap between chargers becomes a real stretch. Charging is also fastest below about 80%, so several short top-ups beat one long one.
- Use caravan parks. A powered site lets you charge slowly overnight, but ring ahead first: some parks don't allow EV charging or charge extra for it.
- Carry the right cable. A portable charger for powered sites, and see which cables you need.
Tow ball weight, payload and the rules
- Tow ball download is usually about 10% of the loaded trailer's weight, so a 1,500 kg van puts about 150 kg on the tow ball. Many EVs have a low tow ball limit, often 75 to 100 kg, which can rule out a van even when the towing capacity looks fine.
- It eats into your payload. Batteries make EVs heavy, so there's less left for people and luggage. WhichCar worked out a Tesla Model Y RWD towing 1,600 kg has about 480 kg left for passengers and luggage.
- Never exceed the lowest limit: the car's towing capacity, the tow bar's rating, the trailer's ATM (its maximum loaded weight) and the car's gross combination mass (car plus trailer). Weigh your rig fully loaded if you're close.
- Check the warranty. Some makers exclude towing damage, or only allow their own tow bar. Ask before you fit one.
EV, plug-in hybrid or diesel?
- Electric suits light, short-range towing: a box trailer to the tip, a jet ski to the lake, a camper for a weekend not far from chargers. The instant torque makes towing feel easy.
- Plug-in hybrid is the easiest all-rounder: electric around town, petrol for the long haul with a van. Look at the Outlander PHEV, BYD Shark 6 or Ford Ranger PHEV.
- Diesel is still the simplest choice for heavy vans and remote trips, with long range and fuel everywhere.
Compare what each would cost you to run in your state with the compare tool.
The EV Pick Monthly
The month's new cars, prices, battery breakthroughs and power deals for Australians, in one short email. Five-minute read, once a month.
One email a month. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy · Past issues
Best car lists
More: questions and more guides
Common questions
Can electric cars tow a caravan?
Some can. A handful of electric cars are rated to tow 2,500 kg or more, enough for a family caravan, but most are rated for 750 to 1,600 kg. Range roughly halves when towing, and most fast chargers need you to unhitch, so caravanning in an EV takes more planning.
How much range do you lose towing with an EV?
Usually about half. Towing roughly doubles energy use, more with a tall caravan or at highway speeds, less with a low trailer at 90 km/h.
Which EV can tow the most in Australia?
The highest ratings, 3,500 kg or more, belong to the Ford F-150 Lightning, Toyota Tundra, BYD Shark 6, Denza B8, Ford Ranger PHEV and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV. Check the table above, as ratings vary by version.
Do I have to unhitch to charge an EV?
At most fast chargers, yes, because the bays aren't built for a car and trailer. Unhitch nearby, charge, and hitch up again, or charge overnight at a powered caravan park site.
What is tow ball download?
The weight the trailer puts on the tow ball, usually about 10% of the loaded trailer. Many EVs have a low tow ball limit, so check it as well as the towing capacity.
More guides
More in Choosing a car
You might also like
How we work it out, and our sources
Weekly cost = the car's energy use × 250 km × your electricity or fuel price, with 90% of charging at home. Prices are list prices at November 2026; check with the dealer.
- Electricity: 2026–27 default rates (AER, Victorian Default Offer, state retailers). Public charging: Sydney network prices, July 2026.
- Petrol and diesel: capital-city daily averages from state government price feeds, via FuelRadar, 12 November 2026. Diesel for Hobart, Canberra and Darwin is estimated from the national fall.
- Cars: maker figures via CarExpert, Drive, CarsGuide and EV Central. Plug-in electric range is taken as 80% of the claim.
- Servicing: published capped prices; marked as an estimate where not yet published (CarExpert comparison).
- Tyres: an EV set lasts about 35,000 km, a petrol or hybrid set 50,000 km (RACV); prices from Gridly.
- Home charger: about $2,000 installed ($1,000–$3,000). Novated leases: PwC summary.
Printed from EV Pick Australia · evpick.com.au. Prices and costs are estimates; check with the dealer. © 2026 EV Pick (T. Crouch). For personal use only; not to be copied, republished or sold without permission.
Was this page useful?
Follow EV PickNew cars and price drops in your feed
Glad this helped ☕
If EV Pick saved you time or money, a coffee helps keep it independent. Every dollar goes back into improving the site.
No pressure. EV Pick stays free either way.