How to tow an electric car
An electric vehicle goes on a flatbed. When its wheels are forced to turn, the drive motor acts as a generator and pushes uncontrolled current back into the battery pack and power electronics. Tesla and Rivian both state this in their own manuals, and Rivian names fire as a possible outcome.
Why wheels-down towing damages it
An electric vehicle goes on a flatbed. When the wheels are forced to turn, the drive motor acts as a generator and pushes uncontrolled current back into the pack and power electronics.
What Tesla's manual says
Tesla's Model 3 manual is explicit: "NEVER TRANSPORT YOUR VEHICLE WITH THE TIRES IN A POSITION WHERE THEY CAN SPIN." Approved methods are a flatbed in either direction, or the front wheels lifted with the rear on a dolly for a maximum of 35 miles. Tow Mode releases the parking brake so the car can be winched.
What Rivian's guidance says
Rivian is equally direct: "Only transport the vehicle on a flatbed tow truck… towing with any wheels on the ground can lead to significant damage and overheating. Extreme overheating can cause a fire." A rear-wheel lift is permitted only while loading. Transports over 50 miles use Shipping Mode.
A damaged EV is handled differently
A damaged EV is handled differently again. Per UL's Fire Safety Research Institute, water from a standard handline is the primary tool, reignition risk persists until the pack is fully burned out, a minimum 5 m (16 ft) quarantine applies at the yard, and a severely damaged EV is stored at least 50 ft from structures or other vehicles, ventilated and monitored.
Which tow method is safe
| Drivetrain | Flatbed | Wheel-lift (drive wheels up) | Tow dolly | Flat tow (4 down) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front-wheel drive | Safe | Safe, front up | Safe, front on dolly | No |
| Rear-wheel drive | Safe | Safe, rear up | Rear on dolly only | Manual only |
| All-wheel drive | Safe | Drivetrain damage | Drivetrain damage | No |
| Four-wheel drive | Safe | Manual only | Manual only | Transfer case in N |
| Electric vehicle | Required | Pack damage / fire | Pack damage / fire | Never |
| Motorcycle | Required, strapped | No | No | No |
Related questions
Sources (3)
- Tesla — Model 3 Owner's Manual — Towing and Transporting (accessed 2026-08-17) T1
- Rivian — Towing and Transporting Your Vehicle (accessed 2026-08-17) T1
- UL Fire Safety Research Institute — Electric Vehicle Fire Safety — response and post-incident handling (accessed 2026-08-17) T2