Electric vehicles are becoming a normal part of Melbourne traffic, which also means tow truck operators are dealing with more Teslas, BYDs, Polestars and other EVs after breakdowns and accidents.
Australia passed 500,000 battery electric vehicles on the road in September 2026, according to the Electric Vehicle Council, while battery EVs represented around 24.9% of new vehicle sales in August. For towing operators and EV owners, that growth matters because an electric vehicle should not automatically be recovered in the same way as a conventional petrol car.
The main concerns are the high-voltage battery, electric drive system, vehicle-specific tow mode and what happens if the wheels rotate while the vehicle is being transported.
Why Is EV Towing Different From Towing a Petrol Car?
A petrol vehicle may sometimes be moved with two wheels remaining on the road, depending on its drivetrain and manufacturer instructions. With an EV, that approach can create additional risks.
WorkSafe Victoria warns that flat towing a hybrid or electric vehicle with its driven wheels turning may generate an electrical charge, creating heat and potentially a fire risk. It recommends specialist vehicle movement equipment that can lift the vehicle off its wheels where required.
This is why calling a professional car towing Melbourne provider is particularly important when the vehicle is electric. The tow operator needs to know the make, model, condition and whether the car still has low-voltage power before deciding how it should be loaded.
Is a Flatbed Tow Truck Better for an EV?
In many cases, yes.
A flatbed or tilt-tray truck allows the entire vehicle to be transported without its wheels rotating on the road. This reduces the risk of unintended drivetrain movement and avoids relying on the EV behaving like a conventional automatic vehicle.
Tesla, for example, states in its Australian Model 3 transport instructions that a flatbed truck or comparable transport vehicle is the recommended transport method. It also says all four wheels should be kept off the ground during transport.
That does not mean every EV follows exactly the same procedure. BYD, Tesla, Hyundai, Kia, Polestar and other manufacturers can have different towing instructions. A professional tow truck melbourne operator should therefore check the manufacturer requirements rather than assuming one method works for every electric car.
What Should You Do Before the Tow Truck Arrives?
If your EV has simply run out of charge or experienced a mechanical or electrical fault, first move it to a safe location if that can be done without creating additional risk.
Tell the towing company:
| Information | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Vehicle make and model | Towing procedures differ between EVs |
| Whether the car can enter Neutral or Tow Mode | Determines how it can be loaded |
| Whether the touchscreen still works | Some EV towing modes require screen access |
| Whether the 12V or low-voltage battery works | It may control locks, brakes and towing functions |
| Whether the car was in a collision | Battery damage changes the recovery risk |
| Whether any wheel is damaged or locked | Dollies or specialist loading equipment may be needed |
Do not try to force the vehicle into neutral or disconnect high-voltage components yourself.
Check the Vehicle’s Tow Mode
Some EVs have a dedicated Tow Mode or Transport Mode.
On a current Tesla Model 3, for example, Tow Mode allows the car to free-roll slowly so that it can be winched onto a flatbed. Tesla specifies that this mode is for short, slow movement during loading rather than for towing the car along the road.
If the EV has completely lost power, tell the towing operator before they arrive. The loading procedure may need tyre skates, dollies or other equipment.
What If the EV Has Been in an Accident?
This is where EV recovery requires more caution.
A damaged electric vehicle may have an intact-looking body while the battery pack underneath has been impacted. Fire Rescue Victoria states that damaged or fire-affected EVs can retain a risk of reignition and recommends accessing the correct emergency response guide and transporting the vehicle on a flatbed where possible.
WorkSafe Victoria also notes that damaged lithium-ion batteries can enter thermal runaway. For damaged EVs brought into workplaces, it recommends keeping them at least 15 metres from flammable materials such as buildings and other vehicles.
If your EV has been involved in a serious crash, do not attempt to restart or recharge it simply because the car still powers on.
For Melbourne drivers, accident towing also operates differently from an ordinary breakdown tow, so tell the operator clearly whether the car was damaged in a collision.
For more technical workplace guidance, see WorkSafe Victoria’s electric and hybrid vehicle safety guidance.
Can You Tow an EV With a Rope?
Generally, you should not treat an EV like an old manual car and simply attach a rope or tow strap.
Depending on the model, rotating the driven wheels can interact with the electric motor and regenerative system. There may also be electronic parking brakes or transmission locks that cannot be released without power.
Even if the vehicle only needs to travel a few kilometres, improper towing can turn a simple breakdown into an expensive drivetrain or electrical repair.
A proper car towing Melbourne service can assess whether the vehicle needs a flatbed, tilt tray, dollies or another loading method.
Common EV Towing Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake is assuming Neutral means the car can be pulled normally. Another is attaching a winch or strap to suspension components instead of the manufacturer-approved tow point.
Drivers should also avoid charging a vehicle immediately after significant accident damage. Fire Rescue Victoria advises that a damaged EV should not be charged or used again until it has been inspected and cleared by a qualified technician.
The safest approach is simple: identify the vehicle correctly, explain what happened and let the operator follow the manufacturer-specific recovery procedure.
Need an EV Tow in Melbourne?
Whether your electric car has run out of charge, lost power, suffered a tyre or wheel problem, or been damaged in an accident, the towing method matters.
Maningham Towing provides vehicle towing across Melbourne, including roadside breakdowns, vehicle transport and recovery situations. When requesting a tow, let the team know that the vehicle is electric and provide the exact make, model and condition so the appropriate towing equipment can be arranged.
If your EV cannot be driven safely, contact Maningham Towing for 24/7 towing assistance across Melbourne.
