How to Tow an Electric Car in Pakistan Safely

The safe way to tow an electric car in Pakistan is on a flatbed, with all four wheels off the ground, unless your owner's manual clearly says otherwise. In most EVs the drive motors are permanently connected to the wheels, so towing with the driven wheels on the road can turn the motors, generate electricity the car cannot handle while switched off, and cause expensive damage. Before the car is loaded, put it into its tow or transport mode if it has one, and never let anyone tow it with a rope or chain.

Electric cars and plug-in hybrids are now a common sight in Pakistan's big cities, with brands such as BYD, MG and others selling EVs and plug-in hybrids through dealer networks. Many owners have never needed recovery for one. This guide explains what makes EV recovery different and what you should ask for when you call a recovery service.

Why EVs need a flatbed

A petrol car with a manual gearbox can usually be put in neutral, which disconnects the engine from the wheels. Electric cars generally do not have a gearbox you can disconnect in the same way. When the wheels turn, the motor turns. If the car is switched off and dragged along, the motor can act as a generator, which can damage the motor, the inverter or the high-voltage electronics. There is also the risk of overheating parts that are not lubricated or cooled while the car is off.

Many EVs also have electronic parking brakes and steering locks that may not release if the 12V system is flat. A wheel-lift tow, which lifts only one end, can be risky even for a short distance, especially on an all-wheel-drive EV where both axles have motors.

Manufacturers' rules differ, and some allow very short moves on wheel dollies or at walking pace. The owner's manual is the final word. If you are not sure, ask for a flatbed.

What a correct EV recovery looks like

• A flatbed truck, so the car travels with all four wheels off the road.
• The car is put into tow, transport or neutral mode as the manufacturer describes, with the 12V system powered if needed.
• The car is winched onto the bed slowly, using the manufacturer's towing eye or approved points, not suspension or battery-pack parts.
• It is secured with wheel straps over the tyres rather than chains around the body or underfloor, to avoid damaging the high-voltage battery pack under the car.
• If the car has been in an accident, the crew keeps it away from buildings and other vehicles where possible and watches for signs of battery damage.

Find your car's tow mode before you need it

Most EVs have a specific procedure to release the parking brake and put the car in neutral for loading. On some cars it is a menu option on the touchscreen; on others it is a sequence of button presses with your foot on the brake. Look it up in the owner's manual or ask your dealer now, and save a screenshot on your phone. Recovery crews deal with many makes, and knowing your car's procedure saves time at the roadside.

Also find the towing eye. Most cars have a screw-in towing eye stored with the tyre repair kit or spare wheel, and a small cover on the front bumper where it fits. The crew uses it to winch the car onto the flatbed.

If your EV runs out of charge

Public charging is growing in Pakistan but is still sparse outside the main cities, and stations along the motorways are spread out. Running out of charge on the M-2, M-9 or a highway is a real possibility on a long trip if you misjudge the range.

• Plan long trips around confirmed charging points, and call ahead to check that a station is working and available.
• Allow a generous margin. Range falls with high speed, heavy loads, strong AC or heater use and hilly roads.
• When the car warns of low charge, slow down, switch off non-essential loads and head for the nearest charger or safe stopping point.
• If the car does stop, get it as far off the road as possible, switch on the hazards and follow the normal breakdown safety steps.

A car with a flat high-voltage battery cannot simply be jump-started like a petrol car. It needs to be taken to a charger, which in practice means a flatbed. Some recovery services can carry the car to the nearest working charger or to your home.

The 12V battery can strand an EV too

Electric cars still have a small 12V battery that powers the computers, locks and lights and lets the car switch on. If it goes flat, the car may not unlock or start, even with a full high-voltage battery. This is more likely if the car stands unused for a long period. A 12V jump start, done through the points described in the manual, often solves it. Never attempt to jump-start or touch any high-voltage parts, which are usually marked in orange.

Plug-in hybrids and hybrids

Plug-in hybrids such as the BYD Shark 6 and MG's plug-in SUVs, and regular hybrids such as the Toyota Aqua, Prius and Corolla Cross hybrid, also have electric motors connected to the wheels. Most manufacturers recommend a flatbed for these too. Check the manual, and if in doubt, treat a hybrid the same way as an EV.

After an accident

If an electric car has been in a serious collision, especially one that has damaged the underside, get everyone away from the car and call Rescue 1122 if there are any signs of smoke, hissing, popping noises or a strange smell. Battery fires are rare but behave differently from petrol fires and can restart after appearing to go out. Tell the recovery service that the car is an EV and describe the damage, so they can bring the right truck and keep the car isolated while it is moved.

What to tell the recovery service

• That the car is electric or a plug-in hybrid, with the make and model.
• Whether it has run out of charge, has a 12V problem, has a fault warning or has been in an accident.
• Whether the car can be switched on and put into neutral or tow mode.
• Your exact location and where you want the car taken: home, a charger or the dealer's service centre.