This article covers why EVs require a different approach to towing, what happens when the wrong method is used, and what to tell a towing company before they dispatch a truck. If you are in Minneapolis and need reliable flatbed towing for your electric vehicle, Timber Towing and Recovery is available 24 hours a day at (651) 318-0441. Read on so you know exactly what to expect and what to ask for.

Why Towing an Electric Vehicle Is Different

To understand why EV towing requires a different approach, it helps to understand one key mechanical difference. In most electric vehicles, the electric motor is directly connected to the drive wheels. This means that when the wheels spin, the motor spins too, regardless of whether the car is turned on or not.

When a gas-powered car rolls with the engine off, nothing particularly harmful is happening inside the drivetrain. But when an EV’s wheels roll while the car is unpowered, the spinning motor generates electricity. This is related to the same principle behind regenerative braking, but the difference is that during a tow, there is no active system managing that electrical output. The vehicle’s power electronics and battery management system are not controlling the process the way they normally would, and that unmanaged electrical activity is where the risk of damage originates.

This is the core reason why towing an electric vehicle is its own conversation, not just a variation of towing any other car.

Can You Use a Wheel Lift to Tow an Electric Car?

This is one of the most common questions EV owners search for, and the direct answer is: for most electric vehicles, a wheel lift tow is not recommended. Even when only two wheels are rolling on the ground, the motor connected to those wheels is being driven by the road. The same unmanaged electrical generation described above still occurs, just through whichever axle is in contact with the pavement.

Some EV manufacturers do include emergency towing guidance in their owner’s manual that specifies which end of the vehicle can be lifted in situations where a flatbed is not immediately available. Following that manufacturer guidance precisely is essential in those cases. But outside of a documented emergency exception, a wheel lift is generally not the right tool for towing an electric vehicle.

When in doubt, the owner’s manual is always the authoritative source for your specific model.

Why Flatbed Towing Is the Standard for Most Electric Vehicles

A flatbed tow truck lifts all four wheels completely off the ground and secures the entire vehicle on a flat platform for transport. This is significant for EV owners because when no wheels are rolling, the motors are not being driven, no unintended electrical generation occurs, and the battery management system, motor, and drivetrain are all protected throughout the tow.

For this reason, flatbed towing is the recommended or required method for most major electric vehicle manufacturers. Tesla, Ford, General Motors, Rivian, and Hyundai all reference flatbed towing in their official documentation for their electric models. While specific guidance varies by model and year, the consistent thread across the industry is that keeping all four wheels off the ground is the safest approach.

This is not a preference or an upsell from a towing company. It is a reflection of how EVs are engineered and what their drivetrains are and are not designed to handle.

What Happens If an Electric Vehicle Is Towed Incorrectly

Motor and Drivetrain Damage

When an EV motor is forced to spin without the vehicle’s systems actively managing the process, the uncontrolled electrical feedback can cause wear or damage to motor components and associated power electronics over time. The risk is not always dramatic or immediate, but it is real and cumulative.

Battery Management System Errors

The battery management system in an EV is responsible for monitoring and controlling how electricity flows in and out of the battery. An improper tow can trigger faults or errors in this system, which may require a dealer visit to diagnose and clear even if no lasting physical damage occurred.

Warranty Implications

Many EV manufacturers include towing method requirements in their warranty documentation. Using a wheel lift on a vehicle that the manufacturer specifies must be flatbed towed can complicate or void warranty claims related to drivetrain or electrical system repairs. This is one of the less obvious but genuinely consequential risks of an improper tow.

Delayed Damage

Some towing-related damage to an EV does not show up immediately. A driver might pick up their vehicle, drive home, and feel like everything is normal, only to notice something off days later. By that point, connecting the issue back to the tow becomes much harder. This is part of what makes getting the towing method right the first time so important.

A Quick Guide to EV Towing by Vehicle Type

Not all electrified vehicles carry exactly the same towing requirements. Here is a general framework to work from:

• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): These are fully electric vehicles with no combustion engine. They almost universally require flatbed towing with all four wheels off the ground. Examples include the Tesla Model 3, Chevy Bolt, Rivian R1T, and Ford F-150 Lightning.
• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): These combine an electric motor with a gas engine. Towing rules vary significantly by model. Some PHEVs can tolerate limited wheel-down towing under specific conditions, but checking the owner’s manual for that exact model is essential before assuming anything.
• Standard Hybrid Vehicles (non-plug-in): These behave more like conventional vehicles in terms of towing behavior, but drivetrain type still matters and a flatbed remains the lowest-risk option when there is any uncertainty.

The most important takeaway across all three categories is that assuming one rule applies to all electrified vehicles is one of the most common mistakes made during EV towing situations.

What to Tell the Towing Company Before They Dispatch a Truck

Getting the right truck sent before it arrives is far easier than sorting it out at the scene. Here is a simple set of steps to follow when you call for a tow with an electric vehicle:

1. Tell the dispatcher your vehicle is an EV as the first thing you say. This single piece of information changes which truck and which approach is appropriate.
2. Request a flatbed specifically. Do not assume the dispatcher will automatically know to send one. Asking directly takes less than five seconds and eliminates the most common source of confusion.
3. Have your make, model, and year ready. This helps the towing company confirm whether any model-specific handling is needed.
4. Check your owner’s manual if you have time. Some EV models have specific loading instructions, such as which end of the vehicle should face the truck or whether any in-vehicle settings should be activated before loading.
5. If you are unsure about anything, ask. A qualified towing company will be able to answer basic EV towing questions before the truck is dispatched.

The Bottom Line on How to Tow an Electric Vehicle

Knowing how to tow an electric vehicle safely comes down to one core principle: keep all four wheels off the ground. For the vast majority of fully electric vehicles, a flatbed tow truck is the right call, not because it costs more or looks more impressive, but because it is the only method that keeps the motors from spinning and the drivetrain from being put under unintended stress.

Understanding that before a breakdown happens puts you in a much stronger position when you need to make that call quickly. If you are in Minneapolis and want to make sure your EV is handled correctly from the moment the truck is dispatched, reach out to us at Timber Towing and Recovery, available 24 hours a day at (651) 318-0441. We will make sure the right equipment and approach are in place before we ever pull up to your vehicle.