How to Tow an Electric Car the Right Way
EV towing is the transport of an electric vehicle with all of its wheels off the ground. In an EV, the wheels are tied to the electric motors. If the wheels turn while the car is off, the motors can make power and heat. That can damage the motor, the inverter or the battery system. For that reason, most EV makers say to tow only on a flatbed.
We follow that rule on every EV call. If the car cannot roll, we use wheel dollies to move it onto the deck.
Signs Your EV Needs a Tow
- The battery is at zero and there is no charger close by
- The car shows a drive system or high voltage warning
- The car will not shift out of park
- A tire is damaged and there is no spare
- The car has crash damage
- The 12 volt battery is dead and the car will not wake up
EVs We Tow
We tow Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X and Cybertruck. We also tow Rivian, Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning, Chevy Bolt and Equinox EV, Hyundai Ioniq, Kia EV6 and EV9, BMW i models, Mercedes EQ models, Lucid, Polestar and more. Hybrid owners can call too.
EV Towing Options
All EV tows are Flatbed Towing jobs. If your EV is in a low garage, our Parking Garage Towing crew moves it out on dollies. If the 12 volt system is dead, a Battery Jump Start on the 12 volt battery can wake the car so it can be put in tow mode. Need to move an EV to another city? Ask about Long Distance Towing. After a crash, see Accident Towing.
EV Towing in Dallas
Dallas has many EV owners in Uptown, Oak Lawn, Lakewood and the Design District, and many apartment garages now have chargers. Most EV tows we see come from a low battery on a long drive, a flat on a car with no spare, or a car that will not wake up after sitting in the summer heat. Hot Texas days can drain range faster when the AC runs hard, so keep a margin in July and August.
We can tow your EV to a service center, a body shop, your home or the closest fast charger.
What to Expect
- Call (972) 362-1607 with your EV model and location.
- If you can, put the car in tow or transport mode from the screen.
- We load the car on a flatbed and strap the wheels.
- We deliver it to your chosen drop-off.
EV Towing Cost
EV towing cost depends on distance, the model and weight of the car, whether it can be put in tow mode and whether we need dollies. EVs are heavy, and some trucks need more time to load them safely. We quote the tow before we roll. See the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for Texas towing rules.
EV Towing vs. Gas Car Towing
A gas car can sometimes be towed on two wheels in neutral. An EV almost never should be. EVs are also heavier than most gas cars because of the battery pack. That weight changes how we load and strap the car. We also take care with the low underbody, since the battery sits there.
EV Battery Safety After a Crash
A damaged EV battery can heat up hours after a crash. If your EV was in a wreck and you see smoke, hear popping or smell something sharp, move away and call 911. Tell us the car was in a crash so we can park it in an open space away from buildings when we drop it off.
Tips to Avoid an EV Tow
- Keep 20 percent charge or more on summer road trips
- Check your 12 volt battery every few years
- Know where your tow mode setting is
- Keep a tire repair kit, since many EVs have no spare
Why Choose Dawson for EV Towing
We tow every EV on a flatbed, follow the maker's steps for tow mode and use wheel dollies when the car will not roll. On every call, the drop-off is your choice.