Your electric car slows down, the dash lights up, and the whole thing rolls to a stop on a busy road. Your heart drops. The first question most drivers ask is simple: can you tow an electric car the same way you would tow a gas car? It feels like a small question, but the answer matters a lot, because one wrong move can turn a dead battery into a repair bill worth thousands of dollars. The good news is that towing an electric vehicle is very safe when it is done the right way. The bad news is that many drivers, and even a few tow operators, still treat EVs like regular cars. This guide breaks down what makes electric vehicle towing different, which EV towing methods protect your car, and what you should do the moment your EV stops moving.
Why Towing an Electric Vehicle Is Different From a Gas Car
A gas car has a transmission that can shift into neutral, which lets the wheels roll freely. Most EVs do not work that way. The electric motor is connected straight to the wheels, so when the wheels spin, the motor spins too. When the motor spins without power, it starts acting like a generator and pushes current back into a system that is not ready for it. That is how heat, damage, and warning codes show up. There is a second issue that people forget. EV battery packs are heavy, and they sit low along the floor of the car. That extra weight changes how the vehicle should be lifted and strapped down. Hook the car in the wrong spot and you can crack the battery case or bend the frame. Good electric vehicle towing safety always starts with knowing where the load is and where the safe lift points are.
Safe EV Towing Methods That Protect Your Car
Flatbed towing for EVs is the gold standard, and it is what most manufacturers ask for by name. The car is winched or driven onto a flat deck, all four wheels leave the road, and nothing spins during the trip. There is no drivetrain stress, no heat buildup, and no risk of scraping the battery pack on a driveway lip. If you only remember one line from this article, remember that a flatbed is the safest answer for electric car transport. Wheel lifts and tow dollies come up often, and they need a careful look. A dolly can work on some models, but only if the driven wheels are lifted and the manual allows it, and even then there are speed and distance limits. Rolling an EV behind a truck with two wheels down is one of the fastest ways to cause electric car towing damage. A trained operator will check the model first instead of guessing, because these EV towing requirements change from brand to brand.
What Goes Wrong When an EV Is Towed the Wrong Way
The damage usually does not show up right away, and that is what fools people. A car towed with the wheels down may look fine when it comes off the truck. Days later the owner sees error messages, weak range, a motor that whines, or a drive unit that needs replacing. Repair shops see this often, and the fix is rarely covered by warranty once the tow report shows the car was dragged. Underbody damage is the other common problem. A strap in the wrong place, a hook on a battery bracket, or a steep ramp angle can all leave marks on the pack housing. A damaged pack is a serious safety issue, not just a money issue. This is why proper electric vehicle recovery is worth the short wait for the right truck instead of the fast wait for the wrong one.
Towing a Tesla and Other Popular EVs
Towing a Tesla is a good example of how specific these rules get. Tesla clearly states that the car should be transported on a flatbed and warns against towing with the wheels on the ground. There is also a transport mode built into the touchscreen that keeps the parking brake from locking, and an operator who knows that step saves everyone time and trouble. Other brands follow the same pattern with small changes. The Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevy Bolt, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Nissan Leaf, and Rivian models all point drivers toward flat deck transport. Some have a neutral or tow mode buried in a menu, and some need a 12 volt jump before the car will shift at all. A tow driver who works on EVs regularly knows how to find those settings without hunting through a manual on the roadside.
What to Do During an Electric Vehicle Breakdown
Start with safety. Pull as far off the road as you can, switch on your hazards, and stay buckled inside if traffic is heavy. Then check the basics before you assume the worst. Many EV problems come from a dead 12 volt battery, not an empty main pack, and that small battery controls the doors, the screen, and the shifter. Note your exact location, your model year, and whether the wheels turn freely, because those three details shape the whole call. When you call for help, say clearly that you drive an electric vehicle and ask for a flatbed. That single sentence prevents most problems. Our team at Burm’s Towing handles EV breakdown towing across Columbus and nearby areas every week, so drivers get a truck that fits the car instead of a truck that just happens to be close. Whether you need EV emergency towing after a failure or electric car roadside assistance for a flat tire or a lockout, the right equipment shows up the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can electric cars be towed like normal cars?
Not exactly. Electric cars can be towed, but nearly all of them need to ride with all four wheels off the ground. A flatbed truck is the standard method, and a wheels down tow can hurt the motor or drive unit.
How to tow an electric car if it will not shift into neutral?
Most EVs need power to release the parking brake, so a 12 volt jump often solves it. If the car still will not move, the operator can use skates or dollies under the locked wheels to load it onto a flat deck safely.
Will towing an EV charge the battery?
No. Some drivers think rolling the wheels will feed the pack, but the small amount of energy created this way is not usable and it puts stress on parts that are not built for it. Towing an EV safely means no wheels spinning at all.
How far can an electric car be towed with two wheels down?
Most manuals say zero miles, and the few that allow it set tight limits on speed and distance. Because the rules change by model, the safe move is to treat every job as a flatbed job unless the manual clearly says otherwise.
Does an electric car tow truck cost more than a regular tow?
Usually the price is close to a standard tow, since the main difference is the type of truck sent out. At Burm’s Towing, drivers get a clear price up front so there are no surprises when the car reaches the shop or the charger.
Need Help With Your EV Right Now? Call Burm’s Towing
An electric vehicle breakdown is stressful, but it does not have to end with a damaged battery pack or a ruined drive unit. The fix is simple: call a team that tows EVs the right way, on the right equipment, the first time. If you are stuck on the side of the road anywhere in Columbus, Dublin, Gahanna, Hilliard, Westerville, or Grove City, help is a phone call away. Our operators are trained for flat deck loading, low clearance cars, and safe strap points, so your car arrives the same way it left. Call Burm’s Towing at (614) 290-8512 for fast 24/7 emergency towing in Columbus, OH, and get your electric car moving again without the guesswork.