News

Electric vehicles cannot be towed the way a gas-powered car can, and using the wrong equipment can cause thousands of dollars in drivetrain damage. Because most EV motors stay mechanically connected to the wheels even in neutral, standard wheel-lift or dolly towing can spin the motor and generate unregulated electricity, damaging the inverter, motor, or battery pack. Flatbed towing, with all four wheels off the ground, is the only method most manufacturers recommend. In metro Atlanta, EV flatbed towing generally costs $95 to $175 locally, similar to standard flatbed rates, but the vehicle knowledge and correct handling matter far more here than with a conventional car.

Georgia’s EV population has grown fast enough that “how do you tow an EV safely” is no longer a niche question. Getting the answer wrong isn’t a minor inconvenience; it can mean a repair bill that dwarfs the cost of the tow itself.

Why EVs Can’t Be Towed Like a Gas Car

A gas-powered car has a transmission with a true neutral gear that mechanically disconnects the engine from the wheels, which is why flat towing behind an RV or dolly towing has been standard practice for decades. EVs don’t work that way. Most EV platforms keep the motor directly connected to the drive wheels even when the vehicle is set to neutral, which means towing with the wheels still turning can force that motor to spin as well.

That spinning motor doesn’t just sit there passively. It can act as a generator, feeding unregulated voltage back into a high-voltage system that isn’t switched on to handle it. It can also cause motor overspeed, physical damage inside the motor that doesn’t always show up immediately. Sometimes the damage surfaces weeks later as vibration, unusual noise, or inverter fault codes that leave a driver confused about what went wrong, since the towing incident that caused it is long past.

What NHTSA Says About Towing Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

This isn’t just manufacturer caution, it’s federal safety guidance. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued interim guidance for electric and hybrid-electric vehicles equipped with high-voltage batteries, developed with the National Fire Protection Association and the Department of Energy, specifically to guide towing and recovery operators, emergency responders, and storage facilities on the unique attributes of these vehicles. The guidance exists because high-voltage battery systems behave differently than a conventional fuel tank and engine, both in routine towing and in post-collision handling.

For a driver, the practical takeaway is simple: a towing operator unfamiliar with EV-specific handling isn’t just slower, they can genuinely damage a vehicle in ways a standard car would never experience from the same tow method.

What EV Towing Actually Costs in Metro Atlanta

Flatbed towing for an EV generally runs $95 to $175 locally in metro Atlanta, in the same range as standard flatbed service for any vehicle requiring that equipment. The cost itself isn’t dramatically different from towing a gas-powered vehicle that also needs a flatbed, since the equipment and labor are the same.

What changes is the margin for error. A tow truck operator who defaults to a standard wheel-lift hook because a flatbed wasn’t specifically requested, or because dispatch wasn’t told the vehicle was electric, can turn a routine $100 to $175 tow into a five-figure drivetrain repair. Making sure the word “electric” or the specific make and model reaches dispatch before a truck is sent matters more here than almost any other detail of the call.

Georgia’s Growing EV Population Means This Matters More Every Year

This isn’t a rare edge case anymore. Georgia ranked eighth nationally in total electric vehicle registrations, according to U.S. Department of Energy data, with tens of thousands of EVs now registered statewide and continued growth tied to new manufacturing investment in the state. As that number climbs, the odds that any given roadside call in metro Atlanta involves an EV climb right along with it, which makes flatbed-equipped, EV-aware towing service less of a specialty request and more of a baseline expectation.

What to Tell Dispatch When You Call for an EV Tow

State clearly that the vehicle is electric, not just the make and model. Some dispatchers may not immediately recognize every model as an EV, especially newer or less common ones, so saying it directly avoids assumptions.

Mention if the vehicle has any manufacturer-specific “transport mode.” Many EVs have a setting that prepares the vehicle for towing by adjusting parking brake behavior. If you know your vehicle has one and can access it, mentioning this helps the driver arrive prepared.

Note whether the vehicle was in an accident versus a mechanical or charging issue. Post-collision EVs carry additional high-voltage safety considerations that a simple breakdown does not, and dispatch needs that distinction to send the right response.

Confirm flatbed equipment before the truck leaves the lot, not after it arrives. This is the detail most likely to prevent a wasted trip or, worse, an improper tow attempt.

Coverage Across Metro Atlanta and Surrounding Counties

PMA Transportation Services provides flatbed towing for electric and hybrid vehicles across metro Atlanta and the surrounding counties, including Midtown (30308), Buckhead (30305), Decatur (30030), Marietta (30060), Lawrenceville (30044), and Woodstock (30188). Every EV call is dispatched with the correct equipment from the start, not adjusted after a standard truck arrives and discovers the vehicle can’t be safely hooked up.

Why PMA Transportation Services

PMA Transportation Services treats flatbed-only towing as the default for electric and hybrid vehicles, not an upcharge or a special request that has to be specifically negotiated. That matters because the cost of getting it wrong isn’t a slightly higher bill. It’s potential damage to a battery pack or drivetrain that can run into thousands of dollars. No driver should have to know that risk exists before they make the call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an EV be towed with a regular tow truck?

Not safely in most cases. Standard wheel-lift or dolly towing leaves the drive wheels turning, which can spin the motor and cause damage. Flatbed towing, with all wheels off the ground, is the method most manufacturers require.

How much does it cost to tow an EV in Atlanta?

Generally $95 to $175 locally for flatbed service, similar to standard flatbed rates for any vehicle requiring that equipment.

What happens if an EV is towed incorrectly?

Spinning the drive wheels during towing can generate unregulated electricity and cause motor overspeed damage, sometimes showing up later as vibration, noise, or inverter faults rather than immediate, visible damage.

Does it matter if my EV was in an accident versus a simple breakdown?

Yes. Post-collision EVs involve additional high-voltage safety considerations under federal guidance, so mentioning that a tow follows an accident helps dispatch send an appropriately prepared crew.

Do all EVs require flatbed towing?

The overwhelming majority do, since most EV platforms keep the motor mechanically connected to the wheels even in neutral. Always confirm flatbed equipment when calling for an EV tow rather than assuming.

Keep Reading

• Flatbed Towing Cost: Rates and When to Use It
• How Much Does Towing Cost? Guide by Service Type
• Accident Towing in Atlanta: What It Costs and What Insurance Covers

Need a flatbed for your EV? Contact PMA Transportation Services or view our full towing and roadside services. Call (844) 762-8726, available 24/7.