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Here's a scenario that happens more often than you'd think: your EV breaks down on the side of the road. A tow truck arrives. The driver hooks up your car the same way they'd hook any car -- lifting the front wheels and dragging it on the rear wheels.
By the time you reach the shop, you have a new problem: a damaged electric motor, an overheated inverter, or a fried reduction gear. Repair cost: $3,000-$15,000. All because the tow truck driver didn't know that EVs can't be towed like gas cars.
Why this happens: When an EV is dragged with its wheels on the ground, the electric motor(s) spin. But without the car's systems running, there's no control over the electricity being generated. The motor acts as a generator, feeding unregulated power back into the inverter and battery -- causing overheating, arcing, and component damage.
This is not a theoretical risk. It happens regularly, and most towing companies don't have EV-specific training.
Flatbed only. Period.
Every EV manufacturer specifies flatbed towing as the only approved method. All four wheels must be off the ground. No exceptions for front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive, or all-wheel-drive EVs.
Some EVs have a "Transport Mode" or "Tow Mode" that disengages the parking brake and allows the car to roll freely onto a flatbed. Know where this setting is in your car before you need it:
If the car is completely dead (12V battery dead, touchscreen won't turn on), the tow truck driver may need to manually release the parking brake. This procedure varies by vehicle -- your owner's manual has the specific steps.
What about tow dollies? Not recommended for any EV. Even lifting just the front wheels leaves the rear motor (in dual-motor EVs) or the single motor (in some RWD EVs) connected to the wheels. If any driven wheel touches the ground while being towed, there's a risk of motor damage.
Know your roadside assistance number and make sure they have your vehicle flagged as an EV. Tesla has its own roadside assistance. Hyundai, Ford, and GM have EV-specific roadside programs. Your insurance may also offer roadside assistance -- inform them your vehicle is electric.
Put a note in your glovebox and on the visor: "THIS IS AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE. FLATBED TOW ONLY. DO NOT DRAG ON WHEELS." Simple, but it can save you thousands if someone else is managing the tow while you're not present.
Save the Transport Mode instructions on your phone. If you're standing on the side of I-94 in a blizzard, you don't want to be searching the owner's manual.
Tell the driver immediately: "This is an electric car. It must go on a flatbed. It cannot be towed on its wheels." Be direct and firm. If they argue, refuse the tow and call another company. A $200 tow bill versus a $10,000 drivetrain repair is not a close decision.
Activate Transport Mode before the car goes on the flatbed if possible.
Photograph the odometer before and after the tow. If the wheels shouldn't spin during transport, any mileage increase during the tow indicates improper handling.
Don't drive it until it's been inspected. Even if the car starts and seems fine, internal damage to the motor, inverter, or reduction gear may not be immediately obvious. It could manifest as a noise, warning light, or failure days or weeks later.
Get a Level 2+ diagnostic immediately. The shop can check for fault codes related to the motor, inverter, and drivetrain. They can also inspect for physical signs of overheating (discolored components, burnt smell from the motor area).
Document everything. Photos of the tow truck (flatbed or not), receipts, communication with the towing company, and the diagnostic report from your shop. This documentation is critical if you need to file a claim.
File a claim against the towing company. If improper towing caused damage, the towing company's liability insurance should cover the repair. Your documentation from the diagnostic report links the damage to the improper tow.
Contact your insurance. Depending on your policy, your own comprehensive or collision coverage may apply if the towing company disputes liability.
Every shop on EVqualified is credential-verified for EV work.
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