How to Tow an Electric Car: What Every EV Owner Needs to Know

Why you can't tow an electric car like a gas car

If you drive a Tesla, a Ford Mustang Mach-E, a Ford F-150 Lightning, a Rivian, a Chevy Equinox EV, a BMW iX, a Hyundai Ioniq 5, or any other battery-electric vehicle — this post might save you a $5,000 repair bill. The short version: your car cannot be towed with any wheels on the ground. It must go on a flatbed. Every time. No exceptions.

This isn't a preference. It's physics.

How EV drivetrains are different from gas cars

A traditional gas-powered car has a transmission with a neutral gear that mechanically disconnects the engine from the wheels. Put it in neutral, lift the drive wheels, and the non-drive wheels can roll freely behind a tow truck without spinning anything important. That's why [wheel-lift towing](https://primeotowing.com/blog/flatbed-vs-wheel-lift-towing) works fine on most gas-powered cars.

An electric vehicle doesn't have a transmission in the traditional sense. The electric motor (or motors — most modern EVs have two) is mechanically connected to the wheels through a single-speed reduction gear. There's no clutch. There's no true neutral that fully disconnects the motor from the wheels. When the wheels turn, the motors turn. Period.

When those motors turn without the vehicle's battery management system actively controlling them, three bad things happen:

1. **Regenerative braking activates involuntarily.** The spinning motors generate electricity — that's how regenerative braking works when you drive. But during a tow, that electricity has nowhere safe to go. It flows back into the battery pack without proper regulation, which can overheat individual cells. 2. **The inverter overheats.** The inverter converts DC battery power to AC motor power (and vice versa during regen). Uncontrolled motor spinning pushes unregulated voltage through the inverter, which can fry its power electronics. 3. **Motor bearings wear prematurely.** Without the vehicle's lubrication systems active and coolant circulating, spinning the motors dry accelerates wear on the bearings and reduction gear.

The result: a tow operator who drags your EV two miles to a shop can cause more damage than whatever broke down in the first place.

What each manufacturer says

Every EV manufacturer is explicit about this in the owner's manual. Here's what the major ones say:

**Tesla (Model 3, Y, S, X, Cybertruck):** "A flatbed truck or trailer must be used to transport Model [X]. Do not use any other method to transport the vehicle." Tesla's manual warns that wheel-on-ground towing can cause "significant damage that is not covered by the warranty." Tesla also specifies Transport Mode — a software setting that releases the parking brake and allows the car to roll slowly onto a flatbed — and warns that it must be activated before loading.

**Ford F-150 Lightning:** "The only safe way to tow this vehicle is on a flatbed." The Lightning's dual-motor drivetrain is permanently connected to all four wheels. Ford's manual explicitly prohibits flat towing, dolly towing, and wheel-lift towing. (We've seen threads on the [F-150 Lightning Forum](https://www.f150lightningforum.com/) where owners had their trucks wheel-lift towed by operators who didn't know better — the repair bills were devastating.)

**Ford Mustang Mach-E:** Same rule as the Lightning. Flatbed only. The Mach-E's front and rear motors are both permanently connected.

**Rivian R1T and R1S:** Flatbed only. Rivian's quad-motor architecture means all four wheels are connected to motors.

**GM Ultium (Chevy Equinox EV, Blazer EV, Silverado EV, Cadillac Lyriq, GMC Hummer EV):** All flatbed only. GM's Ultium platform uses direct-drive motors with no disconnection mechanism.

**Hyundai/Kia/Genesis (Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, EV6, EV9, GV60, GV70 EV):** Flatbed only for all E-GMP platform vehicles.

**BMW (iX, i4, i5, i7):** Flatbed recommended. Some BMW EVs have a transport mode that allows limited low-speed towing for loading, but the manual specifies flatbed as the only approved transport method.

What about hybrids?

It depends on the hybrid architecture.

**Plug-in hybrids and full hybrids with electric drive motors** (Toyota RAV4 Prime, Prius Prime, Ford Escape PHEV, Chrysler Pacifica PHEV, Honda CR-V Hybrid) should be flatbed-towed if the electric motor is mechanically connected to the drive wheels. Most modern hybrids fit this description. The safe default: if the car has a battery and an electric motor, assume flatbed.

**Mild hybrids** (many Ram, GMC, Chevy trucks with eTorque) typically have a belt-driven motor-generator that isn't mechanically connected to the wheels. These can usually be wheel-lift towed like a conventional gas vehicle. But check the manual — or ask us when you call.

What about "transport mode" or "tow mode"?

Several EVs (Tesla, Rivian, some BMWs) have a software-activated transport mode. This does **not** make them safe for wheel-on-ground towing. Transport mode releases the parking brake and allows the vehicle to roll slowly — usually at walking speed — so it can be loaded onto a flatbed. It does not disconnect the motors from the wheels. Think of it as "flatbed loading mode," not "you can drag me behind a tow truck" mode.

If the vehicle's 12V battery is completely dead and the screen won't turn on to activate transport mode, the tow operator needs to either jump the 12V system first or use manual release procedures specific to that vehicle. Our drivers carry jump packs that work on every EV's 12V system, and we keep manufacturer-specific tow guides in the truck for the top 15 EV models we encounter in Metro Detroit.

Why this matters in Metro Detroit specifically

Dearborn, Michigan is Ford's global headquarters. The F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E, and Ford's next-generation EVs are designed, tested, and often first delivered right here. The concentration of EV owners in Metro Detroit — especially in Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Novi, and the I-275 corridor — is higher than most cities in the Midwest. We tow Lightnings, Mach-Es, and Teslas regularly. The number is growing every quarter.

Not every tow operator in Detroit has adapted. Some still dispatch wheel-lift trucks by default because that's what they've always done. Some have never towed an EV and don't know about transport mode, 12V jump requirements, or the weight differences (a Lightning weighs over 6,500 lbs — heavier than most gas trucks). Asking "do you dispatch a flatbed for EVs?" before you need the tow is the single most important question you can ask a tow company.

What to do if your EV breaks down

**Step 1: Get safe.** Same as any breakdown — signal, pull to the shoulder or a parking lot, turn on your hazards.

**Step 2: Do not attempt to tow it yourself.** No tow straps, no pulling it with another vehicle, no "just dragging it to the shoulder." All four wheels must stay still until a flatbed arrives.

**Step 3: Call a tow company that confirms flatbed dispatch.** Call [(313) 327-6334](tel:3133276334) and tell the dispatcher: "I have a [year/make/model] EV." We'll dispatch our flatbed. If the vehicle needs transport mode activated, our driver will do it. If the 12V battery is dead, we'll jump it to release the parking brake for loading.

**Step 4: Know your destination.** Not every repair shop works on EVs. Tesla owners go to Tesla Service Centers (the closest are in Novi and Ann Arbor). Ford EV owners can go to any Ford dealer with EV certification. Rivian has mobile service in Michigan. If you don't have a preferred shop, tell us and we'll suggest one.

What we do differently for EVs at Prime O Towing

When you call us with an EV, we automatically dispatch the flatbed — no upcharge, no discussion about whether a wheel-lift would be "fine." Our drivers are trained on transport mode activation for the top EV models, 12V jump procedures, and the weight-distribution differences that matter during loading. The flatbed bed is rated for the extra weight (a Hummer EV weighs over 9,000 lbs). We use soft straps at the wheel hubs — never chains — so the alloy wheels and painted surfaces stay pristine.

We also carry [roadside assistance](https://primeotowing.com/services/roadside-assistance) gear that handles the most common EV roadside issue that isn't a dead main battery: a dead 12V battery. That small auxiliary battery powers the door locks, the screens, and the parking brake release. When it dies, the car looks completely dead even if the main battery is full. A 12V [jump start](https://primeotowing.com/services/jump-start) brings everything back to life in minutes, and you drive away without needing a tow at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Tesla be towed by a regular tow truck?

Only if the tow truck is a flatbed. A traditional wheel-lift or hook-and-chain tow truck cannot safely move a Tesla. Tesla's owner's manual explicitly requires flatbed transport and warns that any other method can cause "significant damage" not covered by warranty. When you call for a tow, confirm the operator will send a flatbed — not every company does by default.

What happens if my EV is towed with wheels on the ground?

The electric motors spin without the battery management system controlling them, generating unregulated electricity that flows back through the inverter and into the battery cells. This can overheat the inverter (a $3,000–$8,000 repair), damage individual battery cells, and accelerate motor bearing wear. In severe cases it can trigger thermal management faults that brick the vehicle until a dealer resets the system. The damage from a two-mile wheel-on-ground tow can exceed the cost of the original breakdown.

Do I need a special tow truck for my Ford Lightning?

You need a flatbed with sufficient weight capacity. The F-150 Lightning weighs between 6,171 and 6,590 lbs depending on the trim — that's 1,000+ lbs heavier than the gas F-150. Most standard-duty flatbeds handle this weight fine, but the operator should verify their bed is rated for it. At Prime O Towing, our flatbed is rated well above the Lightning's weight. We also know Ford's specific tow procedures, including how to access transport mode and how to manually release the parking brake if the 12V system is dead.

Is EV roadside assistance different from regular roadside?

The biggest differences: no jump-starting the main battery (you can't jump a high-voltage battery pack), no fuel delivery (obviously), and flatbed-only towing. The 12V battery can be jumped normally, and that fixes the most common "dead EV" scenario. Tire changes, lockouts, and other standard [roadside services](https://primeotowing.com/services/roadside-assistance) work the same way on EVs as on gas cars. The key is calling an operator who knows the differences — not every local tow company has caught up.

My EV screen is black and the doors won't open — is the main battery dead?

Probably not. This is almost always a dead 12V auxiliary battery, not the main drive battery. The 12V system powers the door locks, infotainment screen, and parking brake — when it dies, the car looks completely lifeless even if the main battery has 80% charge. A quick 12V [jump start](https://primeotowing.com/services/jump-start) from our roadside truck brings everything back. If the car starts and drives after the jump, you likely just need a new 12V battery — the main battery pack is fine.

**Drive an EV in Metro Detroit?** Save our number now: [(313) 327-6334](tel:3133276334). Prime O Towing flatbeds every electric vehicle, every time — Tesla, Lightning, Mach-E, Rivian, Ioniq, Lyriq, or anything else with a plug. 30-minute average response. No guessing, no damage.