How electric vehicles should be towed in Calgary, transport modes, cold-weather tips and what to tell dispatch. Dave's Towing 24/7: 403-272-3944.
More electric vehicles are on Calgary roads every year, and sooner or later some of them need a tow. EVs aren't harder to tow than gas cars, but they are different. Many can't simply be put in neutral and pulled, and some can be damaged if the wrong wheels stay on the road. Knowing what your car needs, and passing that on to the tow operator, makes the job safer and quicker.
Dave's Towing Services has towed vehicles in Calgary since 1992 and is available 24/7. Here's what EV owners should know.
In most EVs, the electric motor is connected directly to the wheels. When the drive wheels turn, the motor turns too, and it can generate electricity. Towing with the drive wheels on the ground can overheat components or damage the drive system. That's why many manufacturers say an EV should be transported with all four wheels off the ground.
For most EVs, flatbed towing is the safest choice. The whole vehicle rides on the deck, and nothing turns on the road.
Every EV model is a little different. Your owner's manual, or the manufacturer's app or website, usually explains:
If you can find these instructions before we arrive, have them ready. If you can't, tell us the year, make and model, and we'll work with what the car allows.
Most EVs still have a small 12-volt battery that powers the computers, door locks and shifter. If that battery is dead, the car may not unlock, power on or shift into neutral, even if the main battery has plenty of charge. A low 12-volt battery is a common reason an EV won't respond. Sometimes a boost to the 12-volt system is enough to get the car into transport mode, or even running again. Our roadside assistance team can help with that.
Tell us right away if your EV has:
Damaged high-voltage systems need extra caution. If you see smoke or flames, move everyone away from the vehicle and call 911 first. For collisions, see our accident towing page.
Cold weather affects EVs in a few ways:
Plan longer winter trips with extra margin, precondition the car while it's plugged in when you can, and keep a winter kit in the car. If you do run out of charge, the car will need to be moved to a charger. Most EVs can't be charged at the roadside by a tow truck.
EVs parked underground can be tricky if they won't roll. A car with a dead 12-volt battery may lock its wheels in park. Read our parkade and underground towing guide for tips on clearance and access.
When you call 403-272-3944, have this ready:
Hybrids and plug-in hybrids also have special towing rules, and many should be flatbedded too. Treat them the same way: check the manual and tell us the model.
Yes. We'll follow the manufacturer's guidance for your model, which usually means flatbed transport.
Usually not at the roadside. We'll tow it to the nearest suitable charger, your home or wherever you need it to go.
Tell us. A 12-volt boost may help, and if not, we have ways to load a vehicle with wheels that won't roll.
Call Dave's Towing at 403-272-3944, 24/7.
