The scorching summer temperatures in the South pose special challenges when it comes to towing an EV (electric vehicle). High temperatures from Texas to New Mexico and high humidity along the Gulf of Mexico all strain high-voltage battery packs. If an EV breaks down on a hot highway, or its range runs out or it suffers thermal shutdown, a serious issue is in front of the driver. Most drivers’ first instinct is to operate an EV much like a gas-powered vehicle. They believe that any pickup truck will have the ability to hook up to the wheels and tow it to the nearest service station.
The Dangers Of Improper Towing Of Electric Vehicles
This is a basic premise that can spell the end of an electric vehicle. The drivetrain of EVs can be permanently damaged when towed improperly, and their manufacturer warranties may be invalidated. If a roadside emergency happens due to high temperatures, drivers should be aware that electric cars must be transported on the flatbed only. As EV numbers increase, there is a growing roadside support knowledge gap. There’s a lot of new growth there for searches such as “electric car towing rules,” “Tesla roadside assistance [City],” and “how to tow an EV.” When a car fails to start due to a breakdown, drivers are searching for answers. Local towing companies need to be aware of these particular requirements in order to avoid major damage to such high-tech vehicles.
How Electric Vehicles Are Towed
A typical wheel-lift tow service is employed by the standard wheel-lift tow truck. This puts two wheels on the pavement and two wheels off the ground. This is fine for front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive gas vehicles, but it could ruin an electric car. Unlike conventional vehicles, electric cars don’t have a neutral position that disengages the wheels from the motor. The wheels are directly connected to the electric propulsion motors of the vehicle. The turning wheels of the EV generate electricity as the vehicle rolls. This is known as regenerative braking and recharges the battery during normal driving. The electric motors continuously spin at high velocities when a standard tow truck pulls an EV along the road with its wheels on the ground. The vehicle’s electronic cooling systems are totally off during a tow, since the car is off. The internal friction and internal heat that the electric motors produce is tremendous. This heat goes straight to the inverter and high voltage battery pack when no coolant is moving to control the temperature. This may cause complete mechanical breakdown in a few miles, wire harnesses to melt and the driving components to fail. It is a very well-known mechanical weakness among automakers.
The instructions of use of the Tesla, Rivian, Ford, and General Motors EVs clearly prohibit towing them by the wheels. If a towing company is allowed to use a standard wheel-lift wrecking truck, sensors in the truck will record the unauthorized motor rotation and subsequent heat spike. Once at the service center, a technician can readily pull this data. Given the issues were caused by improper towing practices, the manufacturer will indefinitely replace the warranty on the drivetrain and battery, resulting in a repair bill in the tens of thousands for the owner.
Electric Vehicle batteries and electronic systems are an additional challenge when it comes to the intense summer heat of the South. In hot climates, the batteries’ efficiency and range suffer when the ambient temperature is high, requiring the thermal management systems to run harder to keep the battery cells cool. As the pavement temperatures rise above 120°F (49°C), the onboard computers must direct a significant amount of the vehicle’s battery power into the air conditioning compressors which cool the battery pack. This quick loss of power can result in a driver’s range being consumed much sooner than anticipated, resulting in surprise highway closures. Moreover, in the southern regions with hot weather, an EV battery pack that has difficulty maintaining temperatures is likely to be even worse under the stress of a high-speed towing where the wheels are off the ground, compared to on a cold winter day.
A flatbed tow truck is required for safely transporting a stranded electric vehicle. A flatbed truck is used to transport the EV so that all four wheels are kept entirely stationary while the vehicle is being transported. Such design ensures that there is no possibility of accidental motor rotation which renders the risk of the regenerative braking system over-heating zero. The operator should ensure that they have the exact location of the Tow Mode on the EV’s touchscreen menu; most EVs have a digital “Tow Mode” or “Transport Mode” in their touchscreen menus. This setting electronically releases the automatic parking brakes so the car can be safely pulled onto the flatbed. Operators do not hook winch chains to the suspension arms or axles. EVs have large battery packs installed in the floor area, and if you pull it off at the wrong time, it could bend the chassis or crack the battery casing. Tow lines should be attached to approved tow eye bolts that are fastened directly to the frame. When placing the EV on the flatbed, it is crucial to tie it down with strong nylon strapping around the tires, not tensioning chains against the chassis.
An EV is a very sophisticated computer on wheels: always demand a flatbed. If you’re stuck in the heat of the summer on the shoulder of the road, don’t let an inexperienced towing company hurry you. To safeguard your investment and maintain your factory warranty, request a flatbed transport vehicle in order to maintain the warranty. The special nature of your EV should make you feel at ease handling roadside emergencies safely, and getting your car to a charging station without causing any unintended damage to your drivetrain.
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