Electric cars need roadside help differently than gas cars do

When your electric car stops running on the road, calling 911 is the right move if you're in danger — but the dispatcher may not know how to help an EV driver, and the tow truck that arrives might not be equipped to move your car safely. Standard towing practices can damage the battery or electrical system. You need to tell the dispatcher when ready that you're driving an electric vehicle, give your location, and stay in the car unless traffic makes that unsafe. Most roadside information services now have EV-trained operators, but you have to ask for them by name.

The real problem starts after the emergency call. Many traditional tow services don't carry the right equipment for electric vehicles — they may not know that dragging an EV by the wheels can short the battery, or that some EVs need to be towed on a flatbed rather than a dolly. If you're stranded, your best move is to call your car's roadside information program first (Tesla, Chevrolet, Ford, and others run their own), then call 911 only if you're in when ready danger from traffic or weather.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 911 if you're in danger from traffic, weather, or a medical emergency — but tell the dispatcher you're in an electric vehicle so they can send the right help.
  • Your car's manufacturer roadside information program (included with most new EVs) knows how to handle your specific model and should be your first call for a breakdown.
  • Many traditional tow companies lack the equipment or training to move electric vehicles safely, so confirm the tow operator has EV experience before they hook up your car.
  • A flatbed tow is the safest method for most electric cars; wheel-lift or dolly towing can damage the battery management system or electrical connections.
  • If you're stranded far from a dealer or EV-certified shop, ask the tow operator to take you to the nearest facility that services electric vehicles, not just any repair shop.

Manufacturer roadside information is usually your fastest option

Most new electric vehicles come with roadside information built into the warranty or service plan. Tesla owners call Tesla Roadside information. Chevrolet EV owners use GM's OnStar service. Ford, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, and others have their own programs. These services have dispatchers trained on electric vehicles and networks of tow operators who know how to move an EV without damaging it. The phone number is usually on your key fob, in your owner's manual, or in the manufacturer's mobile app.

Call this number first if your car won't start, the battery is dead, or you've run out of charge and can't reach a charger. The dispatcher will ask your location, what's wrong with the car, and whether you're safe. They'll send a tow truck to you and usually cover the first tow for free (the distance varies by program — some cover 100 miles, others less). If you're outside the coverage area or the program is full, they'll tell you so you can call a backup service.

Keep this number saved in your phone before you need it. If you lose the number, you can find it through your car's infotainment system, your owner's account on the manufacturer's website, or by calling the manufacturer's customer service line.

What to tell a 911 dispatcher about your electric car

If you're in when ready danger — a fire, a medical emergency, or heavy traffic with no safe place to pull over — call 911. When the dispatcher answers, say "I'm in an electric vehicle" before you describe your location or the problem. This tells them to send a fire department that knows how to handle EV batteries and a tow service with EV equipment. Do not assume the dispatcher knows what an electric car is or how it differs from a gas car.

Give your exact location using street address, mile marker, or GPS coordinates if you have them. Tell the dispatcher whether you're on a highway, a city street, or a rural road — this affects which services can reach you. If your car is smoking, on fire, or you smell burning plastic, tell them that when ready. Do not try to open the hood or touch the battery. Stay in the car unless traffic is moving fast enough to hit you, in which case move to a safe spot away from the road and your vehicle.

The fire department may arrive before a tow truck. Let them assess the car. They're trained to handle EV fires and electrical hazards. Once they say it's safe to tow, ask them which tow service they're calling and confirm that service has EV experience. If they're calling a standard tow company, ask if that company has a flatbed and an EV-trained operator. If not, ask for a different service.

How to find an EV-trained tow operator

Not all tow companies are equipped for electric vehicles. Before you need one, search your area for "EV towing" or "electric vehicle towing" and save a few numbers. Many cities now have at least one service that specializes in this. When you call, ask directly: "Do you have a flatbed?" and "Have you towed electric vehicles before?" If they say yes to both, ask what brands they've towed (Tesla, Chevy Bolt, Hyundai Ioniq, etc.) and whether they've been trained by the manufacturer.

Some national roadside information programs — AAA Plus, for example — now offer EV towing as an add-on or through partner networks. If you have AAA or a similar service, call them and ask whether your membership covers electric vehicles. If it doesn't, you can often upgrade. These services maintain lists of trained operators in your area and will dispatch one who knows how to handle your car.

If you're stranded and can't find an EV-trained operator, ask the tow company to use a flatbed and to tow you to the nearest dealership or EV service center, not to a random repair shop. A flatbed is safer than a wheel-lift or dolly because it keeps all four wheels off the ground and prevents the battery management system from being damaged by the tow process.

Why standard towing can damage an electric car

Electric vehicles have batteries mounted low in the chassis, usually under the floor. The battery management system — the computer that controls charging, power delivery, and safety — is connected to sensors throughout the car. When a tow operator uses a wheel-lift (lifting the front or rear wheels while the other two roll) or a dolly (lifting the front wheels while the rear wheels roll), the car's weight shifts in ways that can stress the battery connections or trigger fault codes in the management system.

Some EVs, especially those with single-motor rear-wheel drive, cannot be towed with the drive wheels on the ground at all. Dragging the wheels can damage the motor or the transmission. Tesla, for example, requires a flatbed for all towing. Chevy Bolt, Hyundai Ioniq, and Ford Mustang Mach-E have specific towing rules that vary by model year and drivetrain. A tow operator who doesn't know these rules can cause thousands of dollars in damage.

A flatbed tow truck lifts the entire car onto a platform, so all four wheels are off the ground and the car's weight is distributed evenly. This is the safest method for any electric vehicle. It costs more than a wheel-lift tow — usually $150 to $300 more — but it protects your car. If a tow operator quotes you a wheel-lift price, ask for a flatbed quote instead and compare.

What happens after the tow

Once you're at a repair facility, the technician will plug in a diagnostic scanner to read the battery management system and look for fault codes. If the car ran out of charge, the battery may need to sit for a few hours before it can be charged again — this is normal and protects the battery from damage. If there's a mechanical problem, the repair timeline depends on the issue and whether parts are in stock.

If you were towed to a non-EV shop by mistake, ask them to contact the nearest dealership or certified EV service center and arrange to have your car towed there. Do not let a shop that doesn't specialize in electric vehicles attempt repairs on the battery, electrical system, or high-voltage components. These require special training and equipment.

Keep records of the tow — the date, time, tow company name, operator name, and the method used (flatbed, wheel-lift, etc.). If your car develops problems later and you suspect they're related to the tow, this documentation will help when you file a claim with your insurance or the tow company's liability coverage.

Preventing breakdowns and being ready

Most EV breakdowns happen because the driver runs out of charge or doesn't know where the nearest charger is. Before you drive, check your car's navigation system or a charging app like PlugShare or A Better Route Planner to see chargers along your route. Set a charging stop if you're driving more than 80 percent of your car's range. This prevents the battery from dropping to critically low levels, which can trigger limp-mode (reduced power) or a complete shutdown.

Keep your manufacturer's roadside information number saved in your phone and written down in your glove box. Update your insurance policy to confirm it covers towing, and ask your agent whether your policy covers EV-specific towing (some policies cap tow distance or exclude certain services). If you have a home charger, keep it maintained and test it monthly so you know it works before you need it.

If you're buying a used electric vehicle, ask the seller or dealer whether the roadside information program transfers to you or whether you need to enroll separately. Some programs are tied to the original owner; others transfer automatically. Confirm this in writing before you take ownership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a regular tow truck tow my electric car?

A regular tow truck can move your car to a location, but it may damage the battery or electrical system if the operator doesn't use a flatbed or doesn't know your car's towing rules. Always ask whether the operator has EV experience and has towed your specific model before. If they haven't, request a different service or ask them to use a flatbed.

What if my electric car catches fire?

Call 911 when ready and tell the dispatcher your car is on fire and it's an electric vehicle. Move away from the car and do not try to extinguish the fire yourself. EV battery fires burn hotter and longer than gas fires and require special firefighting techniques. The fire department will handle it. Do not re-enter the car or touch the battery.

Will my insurance cover EV towing?

Most auto insurance policies cover towing, but the distance and cost limits vary. Call your insurance agent and ask whether your policy covers electric vehicles and whether there are any exclusions for EV-specific repairs or towing. Some policies require you to use a specific tow service; others let you choose. Confirm this before you need it.

How much does it cost to tow an electric car?

Flatbed towing costs vary by location and distance but typically run $150 to $300 more than standard towing. Manufacturer roadside information usually covers the first tow for free up to a certain distance (often 100 miles). After that, you pay out of pocket unless your insurance covers it. Ask the tow operator for a quote before they hook up your car.

What should I do if I run out of charge on the highway?

Pull to the shoulder or an exit if you can, turn on your hazard lights, and call your manufacturer's roadside information program. Tell them your location and that you're out of charge. They'll send a tow truck to take you to the nearest charger or repair facility. Do not try to push the car or coast downhill — this can damage the battery management system.