Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: What Drivers Should Know Before Towing
Electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming more common on Sydney roads, but they can require different preparation when they cannot be driven normally. Battery systems, electronic parking brakes, drive modes and manufacturer instructions can all influence how a vehicle should be moved.
If an EV or hybrid has stopped unexpectedly, avoid assuming it can be transported in the same way as every petrol or diesel car. Arranging a suitable towing service in Sydney and providing the exact vehicle details can help the operator prepare the right loading equipment before arriving.
This guide explains what drivers should know about towing electric and hybrid cars, including battery problems, locked wheels, transport methods and the common question: can you tow an electric car safely?
Why Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Need Careful Towing
The main difference is that electric and hybrid cars use high-voltage components alongside conventional vehicle systems. Their transmissions, electric motors and electronic controls can also respond differently when the vehicle is switched off or cannot enter its normal transport mode.
This does not mean electric cars are difficult to tow in every situation. It simply means the vehicle’s make, model, condition and manufacturer instructions should be considered before choosing how it will be moved.
Important information may include:
- Exact make and model
- Electric or hybrid drivetrain
- Whether the vehicle powers on
- State of the 12-volt battery
- Whether it can enter neutral
- Electronic parking brake condition
- Whether all wheels can rotate
- Vehicle location
- Ground clearance
- Access restrictions
Giving this information early can prevent unnecessary delays when the truck arrives.
Can You Tow an Electric Car?
Yes, an electric car can be transported, but the correct method depends on the individual vehicle. The manufacturer’s towing instructions should always take priority because different electric cars have different drivetrain and transport requirements.
When asking can you tow an electric car, the more useful question is whether its wheels can safely rotate during transport. Some models may have restrictions on which wheels can remain on the road or how far the vehicle can be moved in a particular configuration.
A professional car towing service should be told that the vehicle is electric before dispatch. This gives the operator an opportunity to consider the drivetrain, wheel movement and loading requirements rather than treating it like a conventional car.
Electric Car Towing Methods Compared
Different circumstances can require different towing setups. The vehicle owner’s manual and its current condition should determine what is appropriate.
| Towing Situation | Main Consideration | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle rolls normally | Manufacturer towing instructions | Neutral and parking brake |
| Vehicle will not enter neutral | Wheels may remain locked | Loading equipment |
| 12V battery is flat | Electronic controls may not operate | Battery condition |
| One or more wheels are locked | Vehicle may not roll onto tray | Skates or suitable equipment |
| Low-clearance EV | Loading angle may be limited | Bumpers and underbody |
| AWD electric vehicle | Drivetrain requirements may differ | Manufacturer guidance |
| Underground parking | Truck access may be restricted | Height and ramp clearance |
The safest transport method cannot be chosen from the words “electric car” alone. Accurate vehicle information makes a significant difference.
What to Do When an EV Cannot Enter Neutral
A vehicle that cannot enter neutral may be difficult to move because its wheels may not rotate freely. This can happen when the car has lost electrical power, has a control-system issue or requires a specific sequence to activate a transport or neutral mode.
Do not try to force the vehicle to roll. Tell the operator that neutral cannot be selected so suitable loading equipment can be considered before collection.
Check the Owner’s Manual First
Many manufacturers include a section covering towing, transport mode or emergency vehicle movement. The instructions may explain how to select neutral or prepare the vehicle when normal controls are unavailable.
Procedures vary considerably between models, so instructions for one EV should not automatically be applied to another. Following the vehicle-specific procedure is safer than experimenting with electronic controls.
Check Whether the 12-Volt Battery Has Power
Electric cars have a high-voltage traction battery, but they also commonly use a smaller 12-volt electrical system for many control functions. When the 12-volt battery becomes discharged, the car may have difficulty powering dashboard systems, unlocking certain functions or releasing electronic controls.
A vehicle may therefore appear to have substantial traction-battery charge while still being unable to operate normally. If a flat 12-volt battery appears to be the main issue, roadside assistance may sometimes be appropriate before vehicle transport becomes necessary.
Tell the provider if:
- The dashboard does not switch on
- Doors or electronic systems are unresponsive
- The parking brake will not release
- Neutral cannot be selected
- The vehicle shows a low 12V battery warning
- The car will not enter its normal ready mode
Do not attempt to work on high-voltage components yourself.
Check the Electronic Parking Brake
Electronic parking brakes are common in modern electric and hybrid cars. If the parking brake remains engaged, one or more wheels may be unable to rotate normally.
The release procedure can depend on the model and may require electrical power, the brake pedal, ignition activation or a manufacturer-specific transport procedure. If the brake does not release normally, avoid repeatedly forcing controls or dragging the vehicle.
Tell the towing operator that the electronic parking brake is locked. This may affect how the vehicle is moved onto the truck.
Check If Wheels Are Locked?
Locked wheels do not necessarily prevent a vehicle from being transported, but they change the loading process. Suitable equipment may be required to move the vehicle without forcing locked tyres across the ground.
Depending on the situation, the operator may consider equipment such as:
- Wheel skates
- Dollies
- Winching equipment
- Alternative tray positioning
- Different loading angles
The vehicle’s drivetrain and manufacturer instructions still need to be considered. A loading method suitable for one car may not be suitable for another.
Drivetrain Considerations for EVs and Hybrids
Electric and hybrid vehicles can use different drivetrain layouts, including front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive systems. These differences can affect which wheels may safely rotate during towing.
The exact make and model should be checked before transport because some drivetrains have specific towing restrictions. Following manufacturer guidance helps reduce unnecessary stress on motors, gears and other drivetrain components.
Understand Regenerative Braking Before Towing
Regenerative braking is one of the features that makes electric and hybrid drivetrains different from conventional vehicles. During normal driving, the system can recover energy as the vehicle slows and send some of it back to the battery.
This does not mean regenerative braking should be relied upon during towing. When a vehicle is switched off, disabled or being transported, its normal driving systems may not function as they do on the road.
Drivers should therefore avoid making assumptions based on how the vehicle behaves during normal operation. Towing procedures should come from the manufacturer rather than from everyday driving behaviour.
Check Towing Requirements for Hybrid Vehicles
Hybrid vehicles combine an internal-combustion engine with one or more electric components. Different hybrid systems can have very different drivetrain layouts, which means towing requirements are not identical across every model.
When arranging transport, tell the provider whether the vehicle is:
- A conventional hybrid
- A plug-in hybrid
- An AWD hybrid
- Unable to start
- Unable to select neutral
- Showing battery or drivetrain warnings
Providing the exact model is more useful than simply saying the car is a hybrid.
Check AWD and Four-Wheel-Drive Towing Requirements
Some EVs use motors on more than one axle, creating all-wheel-drive systems without a conventional mechanical drivetrain. Other electric and hybrid vehicles use different arrangements.
Because of these differences, allowing some wheels to rotate while others remain stationary may not be appropriate for every model. Check the manufacturer’s towing section before allowing the vehicle to travel with wheels on the road.
Full-platform transport may be preferable for some vehicles, but it should not be treated as a universal rule without checking the model-specific instructions.
How Loading and Access Affect EV Towing
Loading an electric or hybrid vehicle can depend on wheel movement, ground clearance and the space available around the vehicle. Locked wheels or low bodywork may require a different loading approach.
Access should also be checked before the tow truck arrives, especially in underground car parks, narrow driveways or restricted areas. Clear information about the location helps the operator prepare suitable equipment in advance.
Protect Low-Ground-Clearance EVs During Loading
Many electric cars have aerodynamic bodywork and relatively low underbody clearance. Some performance EVs also have low front bumpers, splitters or side skirts that can make loading angles more important.
Tell the operator if the vehicle has:
- Very low ground clearance
- Aftermarket suspension
- Large wheels
- Front splitters
- Side skirts
- Air suspension
- Modified bodywork
Providing photos can also help when clearance appears particularly limited.
Plan for EV Towing in Underground Car Parks
An EV that stops inside basement parking can create an additional challenge because standard towing equipment may not fit through the entrance. Height restrictions, steep ramps and tight corners should be checked before dispatch.
Provide:
- Entry height
- Parking level
- Ramp width
- Approximate vehicle position
- Gate or security access
- Any sharp turns
- Whether the vehicle can roll
When preparing a car for towing from underground parking, photos of the entrance and vehicle position can be especially useful.
What Not to Do Before an Electric Car Is Towed
Trying to make the vehicle roll at any cost can create more problems than it solves. If an electronic system will not release normally, forcing it may damage components or complicate recovery.
Avoid:
- Dragging locked wheels
- Forcing the transmission into neutral
- Interfering with high-voltage components
- Attempting unfamiliar emergency-release procedures
- Disconnecting electrical components without instructions
- Pushing the vehicle into moving traffic
- Assuming all EVs use the same towing procedure
Following recognised electric vehicle recovery guidance can help reduce the risk of incorrect handling, particularly when the wheels, parking brake or high-voltage system are involved. Manufacturer instructions should still be checked for the exact make and model.the road.rer instructions and accurate information are much more useful than trial and error.
Common Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Towing Mistakes
Many towing problems are caused by missing information before the truck arrives. A driver may not realise that a detail such as an electronic parking brake or underground location can change the equipment required.
Common mistakes include:
- Not mentioning that the vehicle is electric
- Giving the wrong model
- Failing to mention AWD
- Forgetting to report locked wheels
- Assuming neutral can always be selected
- Ignoring underground height limits
- Trying to release electronic systems manually
- Not checking the owner’s manual
- Moving the vehicle despite serious warning messages
A few minutes spent gathering accurate information can make collection more straightforward.
