Electric Vehicle Breakdown Recovery – What Every EV Driver Needs To Know

Common EV Breakdown Causes

EVs break down less often than petrol/diesel cars, but they still have problems. Here's what we see most often.

Cause #1 – 12V Battery Failure (Most Common)

Why: EVs have a 12V auxiliary battery (just like petrol cars) to power lights, windows, infotainment, door locks. This battery can go flat – especially if you leave lights on or don't drive for weeks.

Symptoms: Car won't unlock. Infotainment screen blank. Lights dim. Car won't start (even if main battery is charged).

What to do: Check your manual before jump starting. Some EVs can be jump started (the 12V battery, not the main battery). Some cannot. Call your breakdown provider – they will advise.

Cause #2 – Out of charge (Range Anxiety)

Why: You misjudged your range. Charger was broken. Weather was cold (range reduces 20-30% in winter).

Symptoms: Range estimate drops rapidly. Warnings appear. Car reduces power. Car stops.

What to do: Call your breakdown provider. They will recover you to the nearest working charger. Most providers cannot "charge you at the roadside" – EVs need charging stations.

Cause #3 – Overheating (Summer)

Why: EV batteries can overheat in extreme heat (35°C+), especially during rapid charging or fast driving.

Symptoms: Warning lights. Reduced power. Charging speed limited.

What to do: Stop driving. Let the car cool. Call your breakdown provider if it doesn't recover.

Cause #4 – Software / Electrical Faults

Why: EVs are computers on wheels. Software glitches, sensor failures, electrical faults can leave you stranded.

Symptoms: Warning lights. Car won't start. Strange behaviour.

What to do: Call your breakdown provider. They will recover you to a dealer (EV specialist) for diagnostics.

Cause #5 – Accident Damage

Why: EV batteries are in the floor pan. Side impacts can damage the battery. Front/rear impacts can damage charging ports, electrical systems.

Symptoms: Visible damage. Warning lights. Car won't start.

What to do: Do NOT drive the car if the battery may be damaged (fire risk). Call 999 if you see smoke. Call your breakdown provider for recovery.

For more on battery problems (including 12V batteries), see our flat battery guide. For accident recovery information, see our accident recovery page.

What To Do If Your EV Breaks Down – Step By Step

Follow these steps if your electric vehicle breaks down.

1 Get to safety

• 🚗 Pull over to a hard shoulder, layby, or side of road
• 🚨 Hazard lights on immediately
• 🦺 Put on your high-vis jacket before getting out

2 Check if it's a 12V battery problem

• 🔋 If the car won't unlock or the infotainment screen is blank, it may be the 12V battery
• 📖 Check your manual – some EVs can be jump started (the 12V battery, not the main battery)
• ❌ Do NOT attempt to jump start without checking your manual

3 Check if you're out of charge

• ⚡ If range estimate was low, you may be out of charge
• 📞 Call your breakdown provider – they will recover you to the nearest working charger
• ❌ Most providers cannot "charge you at the roadside" – EVs need charging stations

4 Look for warning lights

• ⚠️ If you see battery warnings, overheating warnings, or electrical fault warnings, do NOT drive
• 📞 Call your breakdown provider – they will recover you

5 Call your breakdown provider

• 📞 Tell them you have an EV
• 🚗 Tell them the make and model (Tesla, Nissan Leaf, etc.)
• 📍 Tell them where you are

6 Wait safely

• 🛡️ In an emergency refuge area or layby, stay in your car (if safe)
• 🛡️ On a hard shoulder, get behind the barrier
• ❌ Do NOT accept help from strangers

7 Recovery arrives

• 🚛 Professional providers use a flatbed only – never wheel-lift or tow with wheels down
• 📹 They film your car before loading (walkaround video)
• 🔋 They load your EV carefully (no risk of damage to battery or motor)
• 🚗 You ride in the recovery truck cab
• ⚡ They deliver to your chosen destination: home, garage, dealer, or working charger

Many breakdown providers send a live tracking link when they dispatch. You'll see exactly where they are.

Can You Jump Start An Electric Vehicle?

This is the most common question EV drivers ask. The answer is: it depends. Check your manual.

Question	Answer
Can you jump start the main (traction) battery (400V-800V)?	❌ NO – impossible. The main battery cannot be jump started by another vehicle.
Can you jump start the 12V auxiliary battery?	✅ Maybe – some EVs can be jump started (the 12V battery, not the main battery). Check your manual.
What happens if the 12V battery is flat?	The car won't unlock, lights won't work, infotainment is blank. The car won't "start" (even if main battery is charged).
What if my manual says no jump start?	❌ Do NOT attempt. Call your breakdown provider – they will recover you.

EVs that CAN be jump started (12V battery only – check your manual): Some Tesla models (check manual), Nissan Leaf (some model years), BMW i3 (some model years), VW ID series (check manual).

EVs that CANNOT be jump started (call for recovery): Some Tesla models, many newer EVs with sensitive electronics, EVs with inaccessible 12V batteries.

If you have a flat 12V battery and can't jump start, your breakdown provider will recover you to a garage for a replacement 12V battery.

Can You Tow An Electric Vehicle?

Towing Method	Petrol/Diesel Car	Electric Vehicle (EV)
Flatbed (entire car on truck)	✅ Safe	✅ Safe – USE THIS METHOD ONLY
Wheel-lift (front wheels lifted, rear wheels on ground)	⚠️ Caution (auto cars may be damaged)	❌ NEVER – can damage the motor
Dolly towing (two wheels on a dolly)	⚠️ Caution (manual only)	❌ NEVER – can damage the motor
A-frame towing	❌ Not recommended	❌ NEVER – can damage the motor

Why can't you tow an EV with wheels on the ground? 🔋 EVs have regenerative braking – turning the wheels generates electricity. ⚡ That electricity goes back into the motor – can cause overheating and serious damage. 🚗 The motor can be destroyed, costing thousands to replace.

Professional recovery providers only recover EVs using a flatbed truck. Your EV will be fully off the ground. No risk of damage.

EV Recovery – How It Should Be Done Safely

Recovering an electric vehicle requires special care. Here's how professional providers do it.

Step	What Should Happen
1. Identify the EV	You tell them the make and model when you call (Tesla, Nissan Leaf, etc.).
2. Dispatch flatbed truck	They use a flatbed only – never wheel-lift.
3. Safety check	They look for signs of battery damage (swelling, smoke, leaks). If they see smoke, they call 999 before approaching.
4. Walkaround video	They film your EV before loading – proof of condition.
5. Loading	They winch your EV onto the flatbed. Wheels fully off the ground.
6. Transport	Your EV sits on the flatbed for the entire journey. No wheels turning.
7. Delivery	They deliver to your chosen destination (home, garage, dealer, working charger).

Recovery providers are NOT emergency services. If you see smoke or flames, call 999 FIRST.

What To Do If Your EV Runs Out Of Charge

Running out of charge (range anxiety) is the second most common EV breakdown after 12V battery failure.

Why it happens: ❄️ Cold weather reduces range by 20-30% (winter) | 🔥 Heat affects range in summer (air conditioning uses power) | 🚗 Fast driving reduces range (70mph+) | ⛰️ Hills and towing reduce range | 🔌 Broken charger at your planned stop

What to do:

1. Try to coast to a safe place – hard shoulder, layby, or exit
2. Hazard lights on
3. Call your breakdown provider
4. Tell them: make and model of EV, remaining range (if any), location
5. They will recover you to the nearest working charger

What most providers CANNOT do: ❌ They cannot "charge you at the roadside" – EVs need charging stations. ❌ They cannot bring you a portable charger (they don't exist for EVs).

What they CAN do: ✅ Recover you and your EV to the nearest working charger | ✅ Recover you and your EV to your home (if you have a charger at home) | ✅ Recover you and your EV to a dealer or garage

EV Charging Networks – Know Before You Go

Planning ahead prevents range anxiety breakdowns. Here are the main UK charging networks.

Network	Typical Locations	App required?
Tesla Supercharger	Motorway service areas (some open to non-Tesla)	Tesla app
Ionity	Motorway service areas (high power, expensive)	Ionity app
Gridserve	Motorway service areas	Gridserve app
BP Pulse	Various locations	BP Pulse app
Instavolt	Various locations	Instavolt app
Pod Point	Various (Tesco, etc.)	Pod Point app

Before a long journey: 📱 Download multiple charging apps | 🔋 Plan your route with charging stops | 🔋 In winter, add a 30% buffer | 📞 Save your breakdown provider's number

If you run out of charge, call your breakdown provider. They will recover you to the nearest working charger.

EV Owners – Prepare Your Emergency Kit

Every EV driver should keep these items in their car.

Item	Why You Need It
Portable 12V battery jump pack (EV-compatible)	Some EVs can be jump started (the 12V battery). Check your manual.
Type 2 charging cable	For destination chargers (not all are tethered).
EV charging network apps	Zap-Map, Gridserve, BP Pulse, Instavolt – know the nearest chargers.
Phone charger	Dead phone + dead EV = stranded.
High-vis jacket	Be visible if you're outside the car.
Warning triangle	Place 45 metres behind your car (not on smart motorways).
Printed list of charging networks	In case your phone dies.
Your breakdown provider's number	Save it now.

For a complete breakdown checklist, see our emergency breakdown checklist.