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 us – we'll 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 us. We'll recover you to the nearest working charger. We 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 us 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 us. We'll 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 us for recovery.

For more on battery problems (including 12V batteries), see our flat battery guide. For accident recovery, 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 us – we'll recover you to the nearest working charger
• ❌ We 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 us – we'll recover you

5 Call us

• 📞 07863 737343 – tell us you have an EV
• 🚗 Tell us the make and model (Tesla, Nissan Leaf, etc.)
• 📍 Tell us 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

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

We send a live tracking link when we dispatch. You'll see exactly where we 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 us – we'll 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 us 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, we'll 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.

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

EV Recovery – How We Do It Safely

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

Step	What We Do
1. Identify the EV	You tell us the make and model when you call (Tesla, Nissan Leaf, etc.).
2. Dispatch flatbed truck	We use a flatbed only – never wheel-lift.
3. Safety check	We look for signs of battery damage (swelling, smoke, leaks). If we see smoke, we call 999 before approaching.
4. Walkaround video	We film your EV before loading – proof of condition.
5. Loading	We 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	We deliver to your chosen destination (home, garage, dealer, working charger).

We 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 us – 07863 737343
4. Tell us: make and model of EV, remaining range (if any), location
5. We'll recover you to the nearest working charger

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

What we 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 on the A14, M1, and A43.

Network	Locations near our area	App required?
Tesla Supercharger	M1 Rugby, M1 Northampton, A14 Kettering (some open to non-Tesla)	Tesla app
Ionity	M1 Rugby (high power, expensive)	Ionity app
Gridserve	M1 Watford Gap, A14 Kettering, A14 Thrapston	Gridserve app
BP Pulse	Various	BP Pulse app
Instavolt	Various	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 our number: 07863 737343

If you run out of charge, call us. We'll 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.
Our number	07863 737343 – save it now.

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