Towing a Tesla with a Flat Tire in DFW — No Spare, No Problem

A collision-damaged EV presents hazards beyond those of a damaged gasoline vehicle. High-voltage battery packs can sustain internal damage that isn't visible externally, and a compromised lithium-ion cell can enter thermal runaway hours or even days after the initial damage event. For this reason, post-crash EVs should be stored away from other vehicles and structures until a qualified battery inspection has been performed.

NW Towing operators who handle post-accident EVs follow a specific protocol: they do not attempt to move the vehicle if any battery warning lights are active, they maintain communication with emergency services if the vehicle shows signs of active damage, and they transport the vehicle to a facility equipped to handle high-voltage systems. We do not transport visibly sparking or actively smoking EVs under any circumstances.

The jump-start service that works for a gasoline car is largely irrelevant for EVs. The high-voltage traction battery that powers the drivetrain is not accessible for jump-starting, and attempting to boost it with a conventional jump pack can damage control electronics. However, most EVs do have a conventional 12V auxiliary battery that powers the car's electronics and can go dead independently — and this battery can be jumped normally.

If your EV's touchscreen is completely unresponsive and the vehicle won't unlock or power on, the auxiliary 12V battery is likely the culprit. Our roadside technicians carry 12V jump packs and can restore power to the vehicle's electronics in most cases, allowing you to check range, activate transport mode, and proceed. If the traction battery itself is depleted, a flatbed to the nearest charging station is the only option.

Electric vehicles use one or more electric motors that are directly connected to the drive wheels. Unlike a gasoline engine that disengages from the drivetrain when the car is in neutral, an EV's motor spins whenever its connected wheels turn — and a spinning motor acts as a generator, feeding electricity back into a system that may already be damaged or depleted. Wheel-down towing forces this regenerative cycle to occur uncontrolled, which can overheat motor windings, damage the inverter, and in worst cases cause thermal events.

Every major EV manufacturer — Tesla, Rivian, GM, Ford, Hyundai, Porsche — explicitly states in their owner's manuals that their vehicles must be transported on a flatbed with all four wheels off the ground. NW Towing enforces this without exception. If you're ever quoted a wheel-down or dolly tow for your EV by another company, end the call immediately.