Can Electric Vehicles Be Towed Safely? | Melbourne Towing

The expulsion systems typically used for a petrol vehicle with a manual transmission can sometimes also be used for an EV. Electric vehicles are fitted with electric motors and high-voltage systems, with many models incorporating ECP (electronic controlled parking) and regenerative braking.

With an EV in recovery mode, the electric motor and parts of the drivetrain may be impacted if the driven wheels start to spin. The risk will vary depending on the car's design and the manufacturer's recommended recovery guidelines.

Hence, towing an EV should not be treated as simply "lifting one end and driving away". It is important to have the right gear and recovery method.

A professional tow company should set up the following before arriving on the scene of the accident for recovery:

• If the vehicle is 100% electric or a hybrid.
• The make, model, and drivetrain configuration.
• If the vehicle is compatible with this "required" towing or transport mode.
• Whether the wheels can spin safely.
• If the car has been in an accident.
• If the vehicle should be in a safe position for loading.
• If a flatbed truck, wheel lifts, dollies, or other equipment is needed.

For instance, Tesla's Model 3 guidance says all four tires must be off the ground during transport. Tesla recommends a flatbed truck, with wheel lifts and dollies only in certain cases.

One of the distinguishing features of Electric Vehicles compared with traditional cars is regenerative braking. An electric vehicle will use its electric motor to recover energy when it slows down, rather than relying solely on friction brakes.

This does not imply that having a regenerative braking system in an Electric Vehicles would prevent it from being towed. The problem is the uncontrolled or inappropriate rotation of the driven wheels during transport.

The mechanical components can be subjected to conditions in recovery with an electric motor that is mechanically driven while the vehicle is in transport, which they were not designed to endure.

Drivers should never assume (or think) that a short tow is definitely safe for this reason.

The more preferable method of recovery is to:

• Follow vehicle manufacturer's towing directions.
• Run engines on wheels not on trails.
• Transport with an appropriate flatbed or an approved transport vehicle.
• Never use improvised rope/strap towing.
• Inform operator of warning messages and electrical defects.
• Let the vehicle operator know if the car has been in an accident.
• Do not presume any other EV model to be the same as towing.
• Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines rather than following general towing advice.

Many times, though, flatbed towing Melbourne operators employ the flatbed where all four wheels are kept completely off the road, this is the preferred type for an Electric Vehicles most of the time. This prevents any rotation of the vehicle's wheels during delivery.

However, some Electric Vehicles may allow other ways under certain conditions; this may be allowed by the manufacturer. Always using a flatbed is a good rule to follow, but does not replace reference to the individual vehicle's manual.

Tesla is an example of that. According to its Model 3 instructions, it calls for using a flatbed truck or similar type of transport vehicle and states that the truck or other transport vehicle should not be carried with tires letting spin. Tesla also advises you to take great care not to damage or overheat it during transport.

Transportation by flatbed may have multiple benefits when it comes to helping you recover your Electric Vehicle:

• All four wheels are still off the ground.
• Minimized risk of unwanted drivetrain rotation.
• Fits a variety of EV's, including ones that are not mobile.
• Decreased use of regular wheel lift towing.
• Increased control over the conveyance of a vehicle characterized by faults to the drivetrain.
• If it is not possible to drive the vehicle to a safe site, this can be useful.

But unloading an EV onto a flatbed, if not done properly, is not the correct method. If there is no electrical power, locked wheels and/or collision damage, or damaged suspension, other equipment may be needed.

Tesla car owners should pay extra attention to Tesla towing. Tesla provides instructions we should take into account when transporting the car.

The Model 3 is not recommended for transport on wheels, says Tesla. Wheel lifts and dollies, which do not require lifting all four wheels off the ground, are recommended if a flatbed is not available; Tesla specifies the limitations on their use.

Tesla also offers a Tow Mode to arrange some cars to be pulled. Tow Mode is designed for short, controlled movement with winching (not for normal road transportation).

This means it is imperative that Tesla owners let the tow company know:

• Which Model Tesla you are using.
• If the vehicle is powered or not.
• Whether Tow Mode is active.
• If the vehicle is locked or immobilized.
• If there is collision damage.
• Where the vehicle is parked especially in the basement or car park.
• If any warning information was displayed before the breakdown.

Given the extensive collision damage, the vehicle might also require additional high-voltage safety measures. Tesla says it is important to consider high-voltage components "energized" until emergency responders evaluate the vehicle.

Let's look at an actual client situation in Melbourne: Daniel, a hypothetical Electric Vehicle owner, experienced a total loss of power on one of his rides home from work. First, he thought his car would be retrieved by lifting it with the same technique used for petrol cars.

The towing company operator asked Daniel what car he was driving and that it was an electric car before they sent the tow out. The recovery was not in the normal style, but rather in line with the manufacturer's towing requirements.

Appropriate equipment was used to load the vehicle, and the driven wheels weren't needlessly rotated during transport to the loading site.

The example of Daniel shows that knowing whether a vehicle is electric before the tow truck arrives can make a difference in a tow. Appropriate equipment selection and avoidance of unnecessary damage is achieved with the right information at the operator's fingertips.

Unless the Electric Vehicle has a manufacturer's recommendation for how to proceed, NEVER use a rope to connect to another vehicle to resolve an EV immobilization scenario stranded on a Melbourne road!

Instead:

• If the car is safe to drive, get out of the way of the hazard.
• Turn on hazard lights and follow normal roadside safety procedures.
• Call a detainer towing company.
• Indicate that the vehicle is battery electric.
• Enter the make and model!
• Describe the method of checking the power of the vehicle.
• If there has been any accident, battery, or drivetrain damage... Mention it.
• Request the proper equipment necessary to retrieve the EV.
• Transport as per manufacturer's instructions.
• Have the owner's manual or manufacturer's towing information available.

These actions can help create safer, more efficient motorway towing and recovery for Melbourne drivers.

Electric vehicles can be towed safely as long as a suitable recovery method is used.

The critical distinction is that Electric Vehicle towing is a bit more complex than traditional towing because there are specific considerations that require more attention: the EV drivetrain, electric motor, high-voltage systems, regenerative braking, and more.

The most basic mantra is not to assume that an Electric Vehicle with four wheels is a petrol car.

A flatbed is a great recovery solution for some EVs, but each manufacturer and model has different specifications. There are reasons to read those guidelines, as Tesla's own Model 3 guidance so clearly illustrates.

Before you have your vehicle hauled away from any point throughout Melbourne, provide the tow company with all information relating to your automobile. This enables the correct towing equipment and system to be addressed in the initial stages.