It wasn’t long ago that spotting an EV on a Queensland road was a novelty. That’s changed fast – EV uptake has exploded in the last couple of years. More than 157,000 EVs were sold in 2025, which was a 38% increase on the year before. With rising fuel costs, you can expect 2026 to far exceed that.
These aren’t niche vehicles anymore. They’re family cars, work vehicles and weekend rigs. And a growing number of their owners want to tow.
EVs and Towing
The EV shift is changing things in the automotive industry. Suppliers have to keep up with the boom. They’re being asked to work on vehicles they’re not equipped to handle and have no experience with.
On a weekly basis, we get asked the same questions by EV wonders. “Have you guys got experience in working on EVs?” “Can you install a towbar on my new EV?” They’re fair questions too. EVs are different to ICE (internal combustion engines) and not all industry suppliers have kept pace.
The short answer to any questions about our capabilities with installing towbars and accessories to EVs is yes, we can do it and have done it. What’s more, we’re certified to – all our techs have the HEV101 certification, which is what we want to take a close look at today.
What is the HEV101 Certification?
HEV101 has become the industry benchmark for automotive technicians working on EVs. It’s a training course for safely handling high-voltage vehicle systems, qualifying technicians to work on hybrid and full electric vehicles. Technicians then have access to manufacturer-level service and repair information for EVs and hybrids under Australia’s Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme.
Why is this important for towing? At Speedy Towbars, we like to tackle every towbar installation with full knowledge and understanding of what we’re doing. HEV101 helps us do that. As well as the towbar install, there’s the wiring harness, the trailer plug wiring, the electric brake controllers, and all the power connections to take care of. It’s critical we get it right, so we don’t take chances.
What HEV101 Training Covers
Understanding what this course covers explains why even good mechanics aren’t qualified to work on your EV without this certification.
The core of HEV101 is the safe depowering and reinitialisation of a vehicle’s high-voltage system. Before any work on an EV begins, the high-voltage rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) has to be correctly isolated. Once the job is done, it has to be reinitialised and recalibrated. This isn’t a matter of unplugging a battery.
The course covers:
- Safe depowering and reinitialisation of high-voltage systems
- Working to AS 5732, the Australian standard for EV maintenance and repair
- Use of specialised personal protective equipment rated to 1000V
- The architecture of battery electric and hybrid electrical systems
- Hazard identification and risk management around high-voltage components
- Safety interlocks built into modern EVs
Why the Certification Matters for EV Towbar Installation
Modern electric vehicles carry high-voltage systems running through the vehicle structure. Towbar installation involves working in the underbody area as well as the wiring, which puts a technician in close proximity to those systems.
If a technician isn’t certified, there’s a risk of damage to the vehicle’s electrical system, post-install warning faults or worse. If they have the HEV101 certification, their work follows a defined, safe procedure from start to finish.
If you’re taking your EV to an HEV101-certified installer like Speedy Towbars, you can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing the job is done correctly. It also protects your vehicle warranty. Using a certified installer demonstrates the work was carried out to the required standard. Your EV is a big investment – you want to keep the warranty intact and ensure trouble-free towing.
Is Your Towbar Installer HEV101 certified?
EVs are everywhere and as a result more general mechanics are taking on EV towbar work. Some of them may have the HEV101 certification, others don’t and are figuring it out as they go.
If you’re booking a towbar installation on your EV, check beforehand to see they’re HEV101 certified. Your peace of mind and the integrity of your vehicle could depend on it.
Book your EV Towbar Installation with Speedy Towbars
All of our technicians at Speedy Towbars hold HEV101 certification. We see large numbers of EVs come through our workshops, so we jumped onto this course early because it was essential we were doing the right job from day one.
If you’ve got an EV and you want to get towing, give our team a call. We can answer any questions you might have and figure out the best time for your install. Chat soon.
Jordan is the co-owner of Speedy Towbars and a trusted source of towbar knowledge for Queensland drivers. When he's not installing towbars, he treasures time with his family and hitting the road for caravanning adventures!