Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIf your electric car runs out of charge, get people out of immediate traffic danger and call the automaker’s roadside service or a qualified tow operator. Tell them the exact make, model, year and drivetrain, and whether the car can power on, select Neutral or enter its tow/transport mode. Ask the operator to follow that vehicle’s current manual; a flatbed or another approved method that keeps all wheels off the ground is often appropriate, but the correct method is model-specific.
What to do first
- Protect people before the vehicle. If you can do so safely, move occupants away from traffic and to a protected location. Call emergency services if there is a crash, fire, injury or another immediate hazard.
- Call for professional assistance. Contact the automaker’s roadside service or a commercial towing service. Give your location and the car’s make, model, year and drivetrain. Say whether it powers on, can select Neutral or tow/transport mode, and whether the 12-volt system may also be dead or the parking brake will not release.
- Ask the dispatcher to arrange model-approved equipment. Request a flatbed or the exact all-wheels-off-ground method allowed by the owner’s manual. Confirm that the operator knows the vehicle’s condition before dispatch, especially if it cannot enter transport mode.
- Have the operator check the manual before loading. Do not ask anyone to force the car into gear or drag a driven axle along the road. Once recovered, arrange transport to a suitable charger or service location; if there are warning lights, a charging fault or other symptoms, ask the manufacturer or service provider whether the car should be inspected before driving again.
Why the towing method matters
Electric vehicles can be damaged if towed with a driven axle on the road. NHTSA says to consult the owner’s manual for the best towing option and warns that EVs and hybrids require extra care because towing on the drive axle can cause damage. That is why “just pull it a short distance” is not a safe general instruction: the allowed method depends on the vehicle’s design and the manual’s requirements. NHTSA’s towing and battery guidance explains the general caution.
Which towing setup may be used?
These are examples from manufacturer instructions, not universal rules. The tow operator should confirm the procedure for your exact model and configuration.
| Method | What to know |
|---|---|
| Flatbed | Often preferred in the cited manufacturer guidance because the vehicle can be carried rather than rolled with a driven axle on the road. The exact loading procedure and approved attachment points still matter. |
| Wheel lift with dollies | May be permitted when the setup keeps all wheels off the ground and the manual allows it. Hyundai’s 2026 U.S. guidance, for example, specifies a flatbed or wheel-lift/dollies arrangement with all wheels off the ground for AWD vehicles; Kia’s 2025 guidance describes a flatbed or dollies with every wheel off the ground for the covered procedure. Kia’s 2025 towing instructions and Hyundai’s 2026 U.S. towing instructions are model-specific examples. |
| Self-loading dollies or tire skates | Specialized equipment may be needed when the car cannot activate its transport or tow mode, or when its wheels cannot roll as required for loading. Tesla’s Model S and Model 3 instructions describe these tools for specified power or mode failures; they are for trained operators, not a DIY recovery recommendation. See the Tesla Model S manual excerpt hosted by NHTSA and Tesla’s Model 3 transporter guidance. |
If the EV cannot power on or enter tow mode
Tell the dispatcher before a truck is sent. A disabled screen, unavailable electrical system, unreleased parking brake or inability to select the required mode can change how the operator loads and secures the car. Tesla’s Model S guidance calls for self-loading dollies or tire skates when electrical power is unavailable and Transport Mode cannot be activated. Tesla’s Model 3 transporter guidance similarly directs operators to use those tools if Tow Mode or the touchscreen is unavailable. The operator should follow the exact manual, including any specified recovery points and equipment ratings.
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Do not pull from an improvised attachment point
In the cited Model S instructions, loading onto a flatbed uses a properly installed tow eye; the manual warns against pulling on chassis, frame or suspension parts. That instruction is specific to that vehicle—never assume another EV uses the same attachment point. Give the tow operator access to the relevant manual or manufacturer guidance if needed.
Running out of traction-battery charge is not the same as a dead 12-volt battery
The large high-voltage traction battery cannot be jump-started. NHTSA says that in most cases the separate 12-volt battery can be jump-started much like a conventional vehicle, but the owner’s manual must be followed for the procedure. A 12-volt problem may also affect controls or the ability to select a towing mode, so tell roadside assistance if you suspect both systems are depleted. NHTSA’s battery guidance describes this distinction.
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Where to find vehicle-specific recovery instructions
Use the owner’s manual for your exact year and model and contact the automaker’s assistance service when the procedure is unclear. NHTSA’s Emergency Response Guides directory can be filtered by make and model; manufacturer-submitted guides include towing and storage information intended for responders. These guides can help an operator, but they do not replace the owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific situation.
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