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Yes, towing can damage it. An electric car should not be towed with its driven wheels on the road. Instead, it needs to be carried on a flatbed truck. Here’s why, and what to do if yours breaks down.
Why towing can cause damage
In a petrol or diesel car you can put the gearbox in neutral, so the wheels turn freely. However, in most electric cars the motor is connected to the wheels all the time. If the wheels turn, the motor turns, and then it starts to generate electricity. Because the car is switched off, there’s nothing to manage or cool that. The result can be damage to the motor and the electronics, so it’s expensive to put right.
What about a short tow on a rope?
Most manufacturers’ handbooks say no, or allow it only for a few metres at walking pace to get the car out of danger. So check your handbook, and don’t let anyone tow your car down the road on a rope or a bar.
The safe way to move an electric car
All four wheels off the ground, on a flatbed. That’s the only way we move electric and hybrid cars. If the car won’t go into neutral or the wheels are locked, we put skates under them and winch it on without forcing anything. See electric vehicle recovery.
If your electric car breaks down
- Get somewhere safe and put your hazard lights on.
- Note any warning messages on the screen.
- Tell the recovery firm it’s electric, and give the make and model.
- Say whether it will go into neutral.
- Decide where you want it taken: a charger, your home, a dealer or an EV specialist.
Out of charge
Running out of charge isn’t a fault. The car just needs to reach a charger. We carry it to the nearest rapid charger or to your home.
A flat 12V battery
Electric cars also have a small 12V battery that runs the locks and the computers. When it goes flat, the car won’t wake up even with charge in the main battery. Tell us the model when you call, and we’ll tell you whether it can be boosted or needs recovering.
After an accident
If the car has been hit hard, tell us where the damage is. If you see smoke or smell burning, move well away and call 999.
Need help now? Call 07778 348703. We’re open 24 hours a day, and we’ll tell you the price and how long we’ll be before you book.
Still deciding? Then read our Google reviews – our customers rate us 5.0.
Why drivers choose Ozzy’s
Ozzy’s Breakdown Recovery is a local, fully insured 24/7 emergency vehicle recovery and rescue company covering Berkshire, South Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Surrey. Call 07778 348703 for a free quote – we’re usually with you in 30–45 minutes.
Fully insured
Public liability and vehicle in transit insurance. You are covered.
Free quote first
You know the price before we set off. No membership and no monthly fee.
30–45 minute response
Usually with you in 30–45 minutes, day or night, every day of the year.
Local emergency recovery near you
Emergency recovery and vehicle rescue near you, across Berkshire, South Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Surrey, day and night. Wherever you’ve broken down, call – we can help.
Any car, van or bike
Cars, vans and light commercials up to 3.5 tonnes.
Pay your way
Card payment link, Klarna pay in 3 or Clearpay pay in 4.
Every recovery service we offer – one call covers them all
Broken down? Don’t get stranded. Call 07778 348703 now, get your free quote and get moving – we’re usually with you in 30–45 minutes, day or night. We can take your vehicle anywhere in the UK.
- Emergency recovery – broken down and need help now? We come out day and night.
- Emergency towing – a tow truck when you need one, 24/7.
- Vehicle rescue – stuck, stranded or can’t move safely.
- Roadside recovery – we load your vehicle where it has stopped.
- Towing service – cars, vans and motorbikes on our flatbed tow truck.
- Breakdown recovery near me – send your location and we’ll find you.
- Tow truck near me – local towing, day and night.
- Breakdown recovery – car stopped at home, at work or at the roadside? Call-out from £75.
- Car towing and tow truck service – we move your car to a garage, your home or any address in the UK.
- Roadside assistance – help where you’ve stopped, day or night.
- Jump starts and flat battery call-outs – from £60.
- Car won’t start? We come to you, and take it to a garage if it still won’t go.
- Accident recovery – damaged cars loaded carefully with a winch and wheel skates. From £150.
- Motorcycle and motorbike recovery – strapped down properly on our truck. Call-out from £85.
- Van and light commercial vehicle recovery – up to 3.5 tonnes GVW. Call-out from £110.
- Electric vehicle (EV) recovery – carried on our flatbed with all four wheels off the road.
- Flatbed recovery and vehicle transport – for low, classic, sports and non-running cars.
- Flat tyre recovery – no spare? We take the car to a tyre shop you choose.
- Stuck, non-runner and winch-out recovery – won’t roll, locked wheels or stuck in mud.
- Campervan and motorhome recovery – call us for a price.
- Motorway recovery – M4, M3 and M25. From £150.
- 24 hour breakdown recovery – nights, weekends and bank holidays.
- Pay as you go breakdown cover – no membership. Pay only when you need us.
- Business and fleet recovery – for company cars and vans.
We cover Berkshire, South Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Surrey. Not sure what you need? Call 07778 348703 and tell us what’s happened – we can help. You can also see our starting prices.
