Electric and hybrid vehicles cannot be towed the same way as conventional cars. Learn why flatbed transport is required, how Transport Mode works on major EV brands, and what to do when your EV runs out of charge in BC.

Electric vehicle ownership in the Lower Mainland has grown faster than almost anywhere else in Canada, and with it has come a category of towing calls that catches both drivers and unprepared tow operators off guard. If you drive an EV or a plug in hybrid, the rules for towing your vehicle are fundamentally different from those for a conventional car, and getting it wrong can cause serious drivetrain damage.

Why EVs Cannot Be Towed with Wheels Turning

When an electric motor's wheels spin, the motor acts as a generator, producing current. In a conventional tow with the drive wheels on the ground (wheel lift tow, or tow dolly on the wrong axle), this current flows back into the battery and the motor control systems continuously during the journey. Depending on the vehicle and tow distance, this can overheat the motor controller, damage the battery management system, or in some cases cause a thermal event.

Every major EV manufacturer specifies flatbed transport for their vehicles. This is not a preference. It is a hard engineering requirement. A tow operator who tells you a wheel lift is fine for an EV either does not know EVs or is cutting corners with your vehicle.

The same consideration applies to all wheel drive and four wheel drive EVs, which have drive motors on both axles. Even if only the rear wheels are on the ground during a wheel lift tow, the front motors can still spin and generate current from road vibration.

Why Transport Mode Matters

Most modern EVs have a software mode that disconnects the drive motors from the wheels to prevent generation during transport. This must be activated before the vehicle is loaded. When it is not activated, even a flatbed can cause problems if the wheels roll during loading.

Tesla (Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X):

Go to Controls > Service > Towing on the touchscreen to enable Transport Mode. The vehicle can then be winched or rolled onto the flatbed safely. Consult your Tesla app or manual for your specific model year, as the menu path varies slightly.

Ford F-150 Lightning and Mach-E:

Put the vehicle in Park and use the Settings menu to locate the towing or service mode option. The Lightning in particular must be on a flatbed. It is AWD and neither axle should roll under power.

Chevrolet Bolt / GMC Hummer EV:

Use flatbed transport. Check the owner's manual for any specific transport mode, because the Bolt's procedure differs from the Hummer EV.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6, Kia EV6:

Flatbed required. Both models have a specific towing procedure described in their manuals. Notify the tow operator that it is an EV before they begin setup so they send the right truck.

Rivian R1T and R1S:

Navigate to Vehicle > Service > Tow Mode before loading. Rivian specifically warns against towing with wheels contacting the ground.

General rule: When you call for a tow, tell the dispatcher it is an electric or plug in hybrid vehicle and state the make and model. This ensures a flatbed is dispatched and the driver arrives prepared.

What Happens When an EV Runs Out of Charge

Unlike a gas vehicle where a fuel delivery gets you moving in minutes, an EV that runs to zero cannot be topped up at the roadside with a portable charger, because the current available from a portable unit is too low to provide meaningful range in a short time. The practical solution is a flatbed transport to the nearest DC fast charger or your home/destination charger.

In the Lower Mainland, DC fast chargers are available at many major retail centres, transit park and ride lots, and along the major highway corridors. Tesla Supercharger stations are concentrated in shopping areas in Surrey, Langley, Burnaby, and Vancouver. Other brands use the CCS or CHAdeMO standards available at ChargePoint, FLO, and BC Hydro EV fast charger stations.

If you are stranded on a BC highway without charge, call us at (778) 838-0014 and let us know it is an EV and where you need to be taken. We will send a flatbed and transport you safely to the nearest appropriate charger.

A Note on Hybrid Vehicles

Standard hybrids that don't plug in, like the Toyota Prius or Honda Insight, can generally be towed on a flatbed without special transport mode activation, because the hybrid battery recharges from the engine rather than regenerative load. However, AWD hybrids, such as the RAV4 Hybrid or any hybrid with a rear electric motor, still require flatbed transport for the same reasons as full EVs.

When in doubt, treat any hybrid with an electric drive motor on either axle as requiring a flatbed and follow the manufacturer's towing specification in the owner's manual.

For Towing Companies and Drivers

If you are a tow operator, the key points are:

Always ask whether the disabled vehicle is an EV or hybrid before dispatch
Send a flatbed to all EV calls
Ask the owner or driver to activate Transport Mode before loading when possible
Never use a wheel lift on an EV, not even for a short distance or a simple repositioning

TowingNo.1 dispatches flatbed trucks for EVs across Surrey, Langley, Burnaby, Richmond, White Rock, and the wider Lower Mainland. When you call, tell us it's an EV and we will send the right truck. (778) 838-0014, available 24/7.