Electric Car Towing: Why EVs Need Flatbed Transport
If you drive a Tesla, Hyundai Ioniq, Rivian, or any other electric vehicle in Oakville, there’s something you need to know before you ever need a tow: electric car towing is fundamentally different from towing a gas-powered vehicle. Drag an EV with its wheels on the ground, and you can destroy the electric motors, overheat the battery pack, and cause thousands of dollars in damage in minutes. That’s why every major EV manufacturer — Tesla, Rivian, Ford, Hyundai, BMW, and others — requires flatbed transport. This guide explains exactly why, what happens when it’s done wrong, and how to make sure your EV is towed safely if you ever break down on Oakville roads.
⚡ Quick Answer
Can you tow an electric car normally? No. Electric vehicles must be transported on a flatbed truck with all four wheels off the ground. Towing an EV with any wheels rolling generates uncontrolled electricity through the motors, which can overheat components, damage the battery pack, and void your warranty.
Need an EV tow? (289) 430-5168 — EV-trained operators, flatbed transport, 24/7
Why You Should Never Drag-Tow an Electric Vehicle
A conventional gas-powered car has a transmission that can be placed in neutral, disconnecting the engine from the wheels. An electric vehicle works differently. In most EVs, the electric motor is directly connected to the wheels through a simple reduction gear — there’s no traditional transmission to decouple. When the wheels turn, the motor turns. And when the motor turns, it generates electricity. Here’s why that’s a problem:
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Regenerative Braking Generates Heat
When an EV’s wheels spin, the motor acts as a generator (regenerative braking). During normal driving, this recaptures energy. During towing, with no active cooling system running, the generated electricity has nowhere to go safely. It converts to heat — and that heat builds up in the motor, inverter, and battery pack with no thermal management to dissipate it.
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Battery Pack Damage
Uncontrolled charging from dragging can overheat lithium-ion battery cells, leading to accelerated degradation or, in extreme cases, thermal runaway — a chain reaction where cells overheat each other. Battery replacement on an EV costs $5,000–$20,000+, making improper towing one of the most expensive mistakes a driver or tow operator can make.
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Motor and Drivetrain Damage
The electric motor itself isn’t designed to spin freely at towing speeds without active lubrication and cooling. Dragging can burn out bearings, damage the reduction gearbox, and destroy the motor windings. On dual-motor AWD models (common in Tesla Model 3/Y, Ioniq 5 AWD), both axles are affected.
⚠️ Bottom line: Dragging an EV even a short distance with wheels on the ground can cause $5,000–$20,000+ in damage and void your manufacturer’s warranty. Always insist on a flatbed — no exceptions.
How Flatbed Towing Keeps Your EV Safe
A flatbed tow truck eliminates every risk associated with electric car towing. The entire vehicle is loaded onto a flat platform with all four wheels completely off the ground. No wheels turn, no motors spin, no electricity is generated, and no heat builds up. It’s the only towing method endorsed by every major EV manufacturer.
Here’s what a proper EV flatbed transport involves:
Most EVs have a specific “Transport Mode” or “Tow Mode” that releases the parking brake and disengages the motors. On a Tesla, this is found under Controls → Service → Towing. The operator activates this before loading.
The vehicle is slowly winched up the ramp onto the flat platform. The operator uses wheel dollies or skates if the wheels are locked and transport mode can’t be activated (dead 12V battery scenario).
EVs are heavier than comparable gas vehicles (battery packs weigh 400–700 kg). Proper tire straps at all four wheels keep the vehicle firmly in place. Chain hooks attached to the body or undercarriage are avoided because of the battery pack mounted underneath.
With all four wheels off the road, the EV rides safely to your chosen destination — whether that’s a dealership service centre, a certified EV repair shop, your home, or a charging station. You choose the destination under Ontario’s TSSEA.
Why Electric Cars Break Down (It’s Not Always the Battery)
EVs are mechanically simpler than gas vehicles — fewer moving parts, no oil changes, no transmission fluid. But they still break down. Here are the most common reasons EV owners in Oakville call for a tow:
The most common call we get? Range depletion. Ontario winters reduce EV range by 20–40% due to cabin heating and cold battery chemistry. A vehicle rated for 400 km in summer might only manage 250 km on a frigid January day. Plan your routes accordingly — and save our number just in case.
EV Stranded? We’ve Got the Right Truck.
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EV Towing Tips by Brand: Tesla, Hyundai, Ford & More
Every EV manufacturer has specific towing procedures in their owner’s manual. Here are the most common models we tow in Oakville and what our operators need to know:
Tesla (Model 3, Y, S, X)
- Activate Transport Mode: Controls → Service → Towing
- If 12V is dead: Use the manual tow eye cover release under the front bumper
- Never use the tow hook to pull the car — it’s for winching onto a flatbed only
- Wheel dollies required if Transport Mode can’t be activated
Hyundai Ioniq 5 / Kia EV6
- Flatbed only — manual explicitly prohibits wheel-lift or dolly towing
- Apply parking brake release if vehicle is powered off
- Rear-motor AWD models: towing with rear wheels on ground causes motor damage immediately
- Emergency tow eye located under front bumper cover
Ford Mustang Mach-E / F-150 Lightning
- Flatbed transport required per Ford service manual
- Transport Mode available through the vehicle’s touchscreen
- F-150 Lightning: significantly heavier than gas F-150 — requires appropriately rated flatbed
- Do not jump-start the high-voltage system — 12V boost only
Plug-In Hybrids (PHEV)
- Models like the Toyota RAV4 Prime or Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV have both gas and electric drivetrains
- Some can be wheel-lift towed in certain configurations — check your owner’s manual
- When in doubt, flatbed is always the safest option for any vehicle with an electric motor
- Tell the dispatcher your exact make, model, and drivetrain configuration
What to Tell the Dispatcher When Calling for an EV Tow
The single most important thing when calling for help is to tell the dispatcher that your vehicle is electric. This ensures they send a flatbed — not a wheel-lift truck. Here’s a quick checklist of information to have ready:
📋 EV Tow Call Checklist
- “My car is electric” — say this first, before anything else
- Make, model, and year — e.g., “2024 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD”
- What happened — ran out of charge, won’t start, flat tire, accident, error message
- Can you access Transport Mode? — if the screen is working, try activating it
- Is the 12V battery dead? — if nothing turns on at all, the 12V is likely dead
- Your exact location — share a GPS pin
- Your destination — dealership service centre, home, charging station, repair shop
Our EV-trained operators know the loading procedures for every major electric and hybrid vehicle. But the more information you provide up front, the faster and smoother the process will be.
How Much Does It Cost to Tow an Electric Car?
Electric car towing costs are comparable to standard flatbed towing since the truck and process are the same. The main cost factors are distance and time of day:
Many EV manufacturers include complimentary roadside assistance for the first few years of ownership (Tesla offers 4 years, Hyundai offers 5 years). Check your warranty documentation — your tow may already be covered. For full local pricing, see our 2026 Towing Cost Guide.
The Rise of EVs in Ontario: Why EV-Ready Towing Matters
Electric vehicles are no longer a niche product in Ontario. Registrations have grown rapidly, and Oakville’s streets reflect that shift. You’ll see Teslas, Ioniq 5s, EV6s, Mach-Es, and ID.4s in every neighbourhood. As EV adoption grows, so does the need for proper electric car towing from operators who understand these vehicles.
The problem? Not every tow company is prepared. Some operators still show up with a wheel-lift truck and attempt to drag an EV — either because they don’t know the difference, or because they don’t have a flatbed available. This is why it matters who you call. At Towing Oakville, our operators are trained specifically on EV loading procedures, transport mode activation for all major makes, and battery-safe securing techniques.
When you call us for an EV tow, you’ll never see a wheel-lift truck. We dispatch a flatbed every time. View our tow truck fleet to see the equipment we use, or visit Why Choose Us to see what Oakville EV owners say about our service.
EV Towing Service Areas
We provide 24/7 flatbed transport for electric and hybrid vehicles across the Halton Region and GTA, including tows to dealership service centres, EV-certified repair shops, and charging stations:
View our complete service area map for full coverage details.
Frequently Asked Questions About Towing Electric Vehicles
Can you tow a Tesla with a regular tow truck?
No. Tesla explicitly requires flatbed transport for all models (Model 3, Y, S, X, and Cybertruck). A wheel-lift or dolly tow with wheels on the ground can damage the electric motors, overheat the battery pack, and void the warranty. Always request a flatbed.
What is Transport Mode on an electric car?
Transport Mode (or Tow Mode) is a setting in most EVs that releases the parking brake and disengages the electric motors, allowing the vehicle to roll freely onto a flatbed. On a Tesla, it’s under Controls → Service → Towing. On other brands, check your touchscreen settings or owner’s manual.
What happens if you drag-tow an electric car?
The wheels turning will spin the electric motor, which generates electricity with no active cooling. This causes excessive heat buildup in the motor, inverter, and battery pack — potentially leading to permanent motor damage, battery degradation, or in extreme cases, thermal runaway. Repair costs can range from $5,000 to $20,000+.
Does my EV warranty cover improper towing damage?
Generally no. Most EV warranties explicitly exclude damage caused by improper towing methods. If a tow operator drags your EV and damages the motor or battery, the repair cost typically falls on the tow company’s insurance — not your vehicle warranty. This is why choosing an EV-trained tow provider matters.
My electric car ran out of charge. Can a tow truck bring electricity?
Not yet — mobile EV charging trucks exist but aren’t widely available in Ontario as of 2026. The standard solution is a flatbed tow to the nearest charging station or your home charger. Some roadside providers can boost the 12V auxiliary battery, which may provide enough power to drive a short distance to a charger if the main battery isn’t fully depleted.
Can hybrid cars be towed normally?
It depends on the type. Traditional hybrids (like the Toyota Corolla Hybrid) that have a conventional transmission can often be towed using standard methods. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) with electric-only drive modes should generally be flatbed towed to be safe. Always check your owner’s manual or tell the dispatcher your exact model so the right truck is sent.
Are EVs heavier than gas cars? Does it affect towing?
Yes — battery packs add significant weight. A Tesla Model Y weighs about 2,000 kg versus roughly 1,500 kg for a comparable gas SUV. An F-150 Lightning weighs over 2,900 kg. This means the flatbed and strapping must be rated appropriately. Our operators verify the vehicle weight before loading and use heavy-duty equipment when needed.
What if my EV’s 12V battery is dead and I can’t activate Transport Mode?
Our operators carry portable jump packs to boost the 12V system, which often restores enough power to activate Transport Mode. If that doesn’t work, we use wheel dollies or skates to roll the vehicle onto the flatbed without spinning the drive motors. This is a common scenario and our team is equipped for it.
Does Tesla roadside assistance send a flatbed?
Tesla’s roadside assistance policy specifies flatbed transport. However, Tesla contracts third-party tow operators, and response times can vary — especially in winter or rural areas. If you don’t want to wait, you can call a local provider like us directly and submit the receipt to Tesla for reimbursement under your warranty terms.
Is it safe to tow an electric car in the rain or snow?
Yes — flatbed transport is safe in all weather conditions. EV battery packs are sealed and waterproof (rated IP67 or higher on most models). The main concern in bad weather is the loading process itself, where the operator takes extra care on wet or icy ramp surfaces to ensure the vehicle is loaded safely.
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