What Is EV Towing?
EV towing is moving an electric car without harming its motors or battery. In most EVs, the wheels connect straight to the electric motors. If the wheels turn while the car is off, the motors can make power with nowhere to send it. That can cause heat and damage. So almost every EV maker says to tow on a flatbed only.
We put the car in tow mode or transport mode, winch it onto the deck, and strap it at the wheels. We never hook to the battery pack or the underbody.
Signs Your EV Needs a Tow
- The battery ran out of charge before you reached a charger
- The car shows a drive system or high voltage warning
- The 12-volt battery died and the car will not wake up
- A crash damaged the front, rear or underbody
- A tire is flat and there is no spare (many EVs do not carry one)
- The car will not shift out of park
EV Towing Options
All EV tows use Flatbed Towing. After a crash, we follow the steps on Accident Towing and keep the car away from buildings. For a trip to a far service center, see Long Distance Towing. If your EV is stuck in a garage, we start with Parking Garage Towing. If you only need the doors opened, see Car Lockout.
EVs on North Texas Roads
EV owners across North Texas drive long distances between home and work. A commute from Princeton to Dallas can run 40 miles or more each way. Heat and cold both cut range. On a 105 degree day, the air conditioner and battery cooling use extra power. In a winter freeze, range can drop sharply.
Fast chargers can be full or out of order, which leaves drivers short of a charge. We tow to the nearest working charger, a service center or your home charger.
What to Expect When We Arrive
- Tell dispatch your make, model and battery level when you call.
- The driver checks the car and the owner's manual steps for transport mode.
- We put the car in tow mode or transport mode. If it will not wake up, we use wheel dollies.
- We winch it onto the flatbed and strap all four wheels.
- We drive to the charger, service center or address you choose.
How to Get Your EV Ready
- If the screen still works, look up tow mode or transport mode in the menu.
- Have your key card, key fob or phone key handy.
- Tell us if the car has air suspension. We may raise it before loading.
- Take out valuables and charging cables you want to keep with you.
EV Towing Cost
EV tows cost about the same as other flatbed tows of the same distance. Price depends on miles, the car's weight and whether it can be put in tow mode. Many EV makers include roadside service in the warranty. Check yours, then call us for a quote.
EVs We Tow
We tow electric cars, SUVs and pickups in the light and medium duty range. That includes Tesla, Rivian, Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Mercedes, Lucid, Polestar and others. We also tow plug-in hybrids, which should go on a flatbed too.
Why EV Owners Choose Towvana
We tow every EV on a flatbed, without exception. Our eight locations in Dallas, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Richardson, Irving, Garland and Princeton put a truck close to the main commute routes. We know how to wake a dead EV, put it in transport mode and load it without damage.