EVs break down differently — and need to be towed differently. Here's everything Atlanta EV owners need to know about roadside breakdowns, flatbed requirements, and getting help fast.
Call (404) 555-TOWINGThis is the most important thing to know before anything else: electric vehicles cannot be towed with a traditional hook-and-chain or wheel-lift method that leaves any drive wheels on the ground. Unlike conventional vehicles, EVs generate electricity when their wheels spin — this is regenerative braking, the same system that recaptures energy during normal driving. When an EV is towed with its drive wheels rolling, that regeneration feeds electricity back through the motor inverter at uncontrolled rates. This can cause motor damage, inverter failure, or in extreme cases, battery management system errors that require expensive dealer service to reset.
All four wheels of an electric vehicle must be off the ground during transport. The only safe method is a flatbed transport deck or a dolly system that lifts all four wheels simultaneously. If you call a towing company and they arrive with a wheel-lift truck and attempt to tow your EV with rear wheels on the ground, refuse the tow and call another company. The short-term cost of a bad tow can far exceed the repair bill it generates.
EV breakdowns typically involve one of two battery systems — and they require different responses:
Your EV ran out of range and the main battery is at or near zero. The car may still have some power — the lights, app connectivity, and climate control may still work — but the car won't drive. In this case, the vehicle needs to be transported to a charging station or your home charger. We provide flatbed transport to any destination: a Tesla Supercharger, an Electrify America station, a ChargePoint location, or your home. We do not provide mobile charging — that's not practical with current Level 2 and DC charging systems.
Every EV also has a small 12V auxiliary battery (similar to a conventional car battery) that powers the vehicle's electronics, unlocking systems, and onboard computer — separate from the main drive battery. If this 12V battery fails, the car may go completely dark: no display, no door handles, no ability to shift to neutral. This is a different problem from running out of charge, and the fix is different.
Most EVs have an emergency 12V jump-start port — typically located under the hood near the firewall or behind a cover on the front bumper. Our roadside team carries the proper jump leads and procedures for 12V auxiliary battery jumps on common EVs. A successful 12V jump restores electronic access to the vehicle, lets you shift to neutral or tow mode, and often gets the car operational enough to drive to a dealer or service center.
| Vehicle | Tow Mode | 12V Jump Port | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3/Y | Yes — via touchscreen or app | Front trunk near firewall | Front-wheel tow acceptable on RWD; all-wheel models require flatbed |
| Tesla Model S/X | Yes — via touchscreen | Front of vehicle, behind panel | Flatbed required; AWD on all trims |
| Rivian R1T/R1S | Yes — via infotainment | Frunk, labeled port | AWD — flatbed required; Rivian recommends contacting roadside first |
| Chevy Bolt EV/EUV | Neutral via selector | Under hood, positive terminal | FWD — technically wheel-liftable on rear, but flatbed preferred |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | Neutral via selector with 12V power | Under hood | AWD trims require flatbed; RWD technically rear-wheel liftable |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5/6 | Neutral — with 12V jump if dead | Under hood | AWD models — flatbed required; V2L feature useful for 12V jump sources |
| Kia EV6 | Neutral — with 12V jump if dead | Under hood | Same platform as Ioniq 5; same towing rules apply |
No. Electric vehicles cannot be towed with a traditional hook-and-chain or wheel-lift method that leaves drive wheels on the ground. EVs generate electricity when their wheels spin (regenerative braking), which can overload the motor inverter if the vehicle is towed with wheels turning. Flatbed transport is required for all EVs — all four wheels must be off the ground.
If your EV has no power, the 12V auxiliary battery (separate from the main drive battery) has likely failed. Most EVs have a 12V jump-start port — typically under the hood near the firewall or in a covered access point on the front bumper. A standard jump start to the 12V battery may restore enough power to unlock the vehicle and access the tow mode. If the 12V jump does not restore power, the car must be loaded onto a flatbed while in neutral (consult your owner's manual for emergency neutral procedure).
We do not provide mobile EV charging (Level 2 or DC fast charging on-site). If your EV has depleted its main battery, the correct solution is flatbed towing to the nearest compatible charging station or your preferred location. Some roadside assistance programs (AAA EV Plus, manufacturer apps) do offer limited emergency charge units — check your vehicle's app or manufacturer assistance line first.
Tell the dispatcher: (1) the make and model of your EV, (2) whether it has no power at all or just no drive range, (3) your location, and (4) your preferred destination — charging station or repair facility. EV-specific details help us dispatch a flatbed immediately rather than sending a wheel-lift truck that can't properly handle your vehicle.
24/7 flatbed EV towing in Atlanta — all makes, all models, flatbed-only, delivered to any charging station or repair facility.
Call (404) 555-TOWING