Every major EV manufacturer requires flatbed towing. Here's why, what it costs, what to verify before the truck arrives, and what to do if a tow operator tries to wheel-lift your $50,000 vehicle.
EV ownership has tripled in Wisconsin between 2022 and 2026. Most EV owners learn the towing requirements the hard way — when they're already on the side of the road and a tow operator without a flatbed shows up. Here's everything to know before you ever need a tow.
Internal combustion engines (ICE) and electric drivetrains have one critical difference for towing purposes: direction of energy flow.
An ICE vehicle being towed has free-spinning wheels that turn the transmission and drivetrain, which is mostly fine if disengaged from the engine (neutral, clutch out, or specific drivetrain disconnect).
An EV is different. Electric motors are also generators — when the wheels spin without controlled power input, the motors generate electricity. That's the principle behind regenerative braking. But when the vehicle is being towed without proper system control:
This is true even for "short" wheel-lift tows of a mile or two. The damage is cumulative and often invisible until weeks later when the drive unit fails outright.
| Manufacturer | Towing requirement | Special procedure |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla (Model 3, Y, S, X, Cybertruck) | Flatbed only, all 4 wheels off ground | Activate Transport Mode via touchscreen before loading |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | Flatbed only | Neutral-tow procedure via key fob; max 5 mph for loading |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | Flatbed only | "Transport Mode" via touchscreen settings |
| Rivian R1T / R1S | Flatbed only | Tow Mode in driver display |
| Hyundai IONIQ 5/6 / Kia EV6 / EV9 | Flatbed only | Neutral via shift-by-wire; specific manufacturer procedure |
| Chevy Bolt / Equinox EV / Silverado EV | Flatbed only (some Silverado configurations allow dolly) | OnStar can guide; do not flat-tow |
| VW ID.4 / Audi e-tron / Q4 e-tron | Flatbed only | Neutral via electronic shifter; never wheel-lift |
| BMW i4 / iX / i7 | Flatbed only | iDrive towing menu |
| Mercedes EQS / EQE / EQB | Flatbed only | Tow procedure via MBUX |
| Polestar 2 / 3 | Flatbed only | Service mode via touchscreen |
| Subaru Solterra | Flatbed only | Same as Toyota bZ4X (both built on shared platform) |
When in doubt, request flatbed. The $25-$50 cost differential is far less than the risk of drivetrain damage.
No. Every major EV manufacturer (Tesla, Ford, GM, Rivian, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, BMW, Mercedes, etc.) requires flatbed towing for any meaningful distance. Wheel-lift and hook-and-chain methods can permanently damage the electric drivetrain. Cost: $15,000-$25,000+ for replacement.
EV electric motors generate electricity when the wheels spin (regenerative-braking principle). When wheels rotate during towing without proper system control, they generate uncontrolled current that creates heat and resistance, permanently damaging the motor. Flatbed = all four wheels off the ground = no rotation = no damage.
Transport Mode is a software setting in Tesla vehicles that disengages the parking brake and prevents auto-shifting to Park, allowing the vehicle to roll slowly onto a flatbed. Engaged via the touchscreen: Service > Towing > Transport Mode. Required for safe flatbed loading. Tesla limits Transport Mode use to short distances and low speeds.
For minor breakdowns where the EV still has battery and drivetrain function — yes, with operator guidance. For dead batteries or system faults, the operator uses Transport Mode (Tesla) or the manufacturer's equivalent neutral-tow procedure to roll it on with a winch.
$125-$200 hook-up + $3.50-$4.50 per loaded mile for flatbed-required vehicles. A typical 8-mile in-metro EV tow runs $155-$235. Slightly more than a standard sedan tow because flatbeds cost more to operate, but cheap insurance vs. a $20,000 drivetrain repair.
Stop. Insist on flatbed. Wheel-lifting an EV damages the drivetrain, even for short distances. If they refuse, find another operator. Most reputable Milwaukee tow companies have flatbeds in their fleet specifically because EV calls have grown so much. Our flatbed service.
Call (414) 409-0291. Our operators are trained on Tesla Transport Mode + Ford / Rivian / GM / Hyundai-Kia EV procedures. We confirm flatbed dispatch on the call.
Dispatch usually responds within 5 minutes, 24/7. For active emergencies, call directly — it's faster.
Last updated: May 8, 2026. EV towing requirements change as manufacturers update software; always verify with your owner's manual or manufacturer roadside line for any non-standard situation.
