Can you Tow an Electric Car? Electric Car Towing Explained

Imagine you’re smoothly cruising along in your EV, music up, windows down… but then your EV slowly grinds to a halt.

Warnings flash on your dashboard. You try the key again. It doesn’t start. You forgot to charge after a week-long holiday. Flat battery. Stranded.

With a deep breath, you’re staring down the inevitable: your electric car needs to be towed. But with the many myths and rumours surrounding electric vehicles (EVs), one question is plaguing your mind: can you tow an electric car?

Today, we give you the final answer on electric cars and towing.

Spoiler: Yes, you can tow an electric car and plug-in hybrid car, but not the way you’d tow a petrol and diesel car. It’s slightly more complicated for battery-powered cars.

Can you tow an electric car if it breaks down?

In short, yes, you can tow an electric car. Electric cars play by different rules, though. Unlike your typical internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, EVs don’t have gears the same way traditional cars do.

Specifically, electric cars don’t have a neutral gear. Electric motors are also directly connected to the wheels. So, if you try to push your EV, you can damage the battery due to the kinetic energy build-up. Even worse, if the wheels spin while the car’s off, it can overload the drivetrain, damage your car and fry the motor.

What does this mean? Well, if you’re asking ‘Can you flat tow an electric car’ – you move, you mess with your EV’s interior.

With this in mind, flat towing—where all four wheels roll along the road—is a no for most models. The tow rope is, therefore, out of the question, too.

So, how do you tow an electric car?

With flat towing out the window, you may be worried about how you are actually going to tow your electric car. But you still have options.

Overall, the exact way you tow an electric car depends on your model. Certain EVs have specific towing modes. Others don’t. But there are universal ways to tow your electric car.

Let’s get into your options:

1. Flatbed tow truck

The best way to tow an electric car – the flatbed tow truck. Your car gets hoisted up and secured on a flat platform with all four wheels off the road.

Most electric vehicle manufacturers recommend this method to avoid damaging your car’s insides. Plus, roadside assistance teams are well-equipped to dole out this way of towing.

2. Emergency EV towing modes

Some electric vehicles have an “emergency towing mode” that temporarily disconnects the motor from the wheels. Polestar, for example, has its own tow mode. Tesla is another manufacturer with this feature, too. And Nissan Leaf.

Note that EV towing modes aren’t universal and seem to be programmed only for premium electric cars. We recommend checking your manual or manufacturer’s website before you hitch up and roll.

3. Read your car’s manual

Each electric car has its own quirks and servicing. Tesla Model 3? Nissan Leaf? Kia EV6? They all have slightly different rules when it comes to towing.

Don’t guess—double-check.

Pop that glove box, grab the manual, and read what the original manufacturers have to say. You might miss something otherwise.

For example, Polestar recommends only towing at speeds higher than 30km/h. Always check with the experts when wondering about towing your specific EV.

Tesla, again, has their own Tesla Roadside Assistance.

Can I push an electric car?

No. Whatever you do, don’t try and push an electric car. As mentioned above, pushing your electric car can damage the battery and motor due to the connection from the wheel to the battery.

What happens if your electric car runs out of charge?

If your battery runs dead and you’re stuck, most EV roadside services can dispatch a flatbed to take you to the nearest charging point or even a portable EV charger in some areas.

Can they tow a caravan or trailer?

It depends. Discover everything you need to know about towing a caravan in our guide, including towing weights and great towing EVs.

Summary:

You can easily and safely tow an electric car—but you’ve got to do it the right way. No dragging it behind another vehicle or attempting to push it yourself. Use a flatbed to tow your EV, or if you have your manual in your glovebox, scan for your car-specific rules. Some, even, have a special tow mode.

With regular EV MOTs and servicing you shouldn’t worry about your electric car breaking down. Certain aspects such as regenerative braking, mean electric cars don’t need as much as servicing, too. Plus, electric cars usually have special elements that can boost performance, as well. For example, special EV tyres.

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