KEY TAKEAWAYS
- EVs ride on a flatbed with all four wheels off the road.
- Tesla allows wheel lifts only with dollies, for up to 55 km.
- Tow Mode is only for winching the car onto the deck.
- A black screen may mean a flat low-voltage battery.
- After a crash, treat high-voltage parts as live and keep clear.
By Zip Towing Bridgeport BC · Published November 1, 2026
Why does Bridgeport EV towing need a flatbed?
Bridgeport EV towing follows one simple rule: the wheels stay off the road. In an electric car the motors are connected to the wheels, so towing it on two wheels turns a motor for the whole trip. That's why Zip Towing's Bridgeport service carries every EV on a deck, and why our Bridgeport towing guide puts EVs in the flatbed-only group.
Tesla says so plainly. The Model Y owner's manual calls a flatbed truck the recommended method and says to always transport the car with all four tires off the ground. It warns that tires left free to spin can lead to significant damage and overheating, and that damage from improper transport isn't covered by the warranty. That's alot to risk to save a few minutes.
What do Tesla and other EV makers say about towing?
If no flatbed is available, Tesla allows wheel lifts and dollies, but only with all four wheels off the ground and for no more than 55 km. A tow from Bridgeport Rd to a shop elsewhere in Richmond is well inside that, but a trip to the Fraser Valley or beyond belongs on a flatbed tow or our long-distance hauling service.
Other makers say much the same. Ford's page on transporting a disabled Mustang Mach-E recommends calling Ford Roadside Assistance or a professional towing service to arrange a flatbed tow truck. For any other EV or plug-in hybrid, check the towing section of your owner's manual and tell us what it says. If it's not posible to check, we use the deck anyway.
| Method | Okay for an EV? |
|---|---|
| Flatbed, all four wheels off the ground | Yes, the recommended method |
| Wheel-lift plus dollies, all four wheels off | Allowed for up to 55 km |
| Wheel-lift with two wheels on the road | No, the tires would spin |
| Tow Mode, winching onto a deck | Only for loading, a very short distance |
How does Tow Mode work when your Tesla stops in Bridgeport?
Tow Mode isn't for towing on the road. Tesla says it only lets the car be winched onto a flatbed, slowly and for a very short distance. It's set on the touchscreen, so the car has to be awake and you, or your key, need to be there. Tesla also says the tow eye is kept in the front trunk, so leave the frunk clear if you can.
If the screen is black, the small low-voltage battery may be flat. A battery boost on that battery is sometimes enough to wake the car for Tow Mode. If not, Tesla says self-loading dollies or tire skates must be used, the same kind of kit used for parkade towing in Bridgeport when a car is stuck below ground.
What should you tell the dispatcher about your EV?
Say "EV" or "Tesla" first. Our guide on what to tell the dispatcher covers the rest of the call, and our Tesla and EV towing page explains the load step by step. For an electric car, these details matter most:
- Make, model and year, and whether it's AWD.
- Whether the touchscreen is on, and the charge it shows.
- Where it sits: lot, parkade level or curb lane.
- Whether there was a collision or any warning message.
- The drop-off: service centre, home charger or body shop.
What changes when an EV needs towing after a crash?
After a collision, Tesla says to assume the high-voltage components are energized. If there is smoke or any sign of fire, move well away and call 911 first. Once it's safe, an accident tow on a flatbed takes the car to the body shop, and our page on accident towing and your ICBC claim explains the paperwork. If the car only needs moving tommorow, say so; the dispatcher can plan around it.
EV calls around Bridgeport Rd, River Drive and Tait
EV calls in Bridgeport come from River Drive condo parkades, Tait driveways, store lots along Bridgeport Rd and the commuter lot by the Canada Line; our guide to towing from Bridgeport Station covers that one. Pick the drop-off before the truck arrives: a service centre, your home charger, a body shop or a shop you trust. If you book through the Tesla app, check which location it names. For condo towers, see Tesla towing on River Drive.
Zip Towing confirms the price on the phone before we hook up, 24 hours a day. Our flatbed vs. wheel-lift guide covers other cars, and you can see all our towing services. Get in touch or browse the Zip Towing blog.
Questions drivers ask
Can a Tesla be towed with a wheel-lift?
Only with dollies so all four wheels are off the ground, and Tesla limits that method to 55 km. A flatbed is the recommended way.
Do I need to be there to put my Tesla in Tow Mode?
Usually yes, because Tow Mode is set on the touchscreen and the car needs your phone key or key card to wake up.
What if my EV's screen is completely dead?
The low-voltage battery may be flat. A boost can sometimes wake the car; if not, dollies or tire skates are used to load it without dragging the wheels.
Does the flatbed rule apply to EVs that aren't Teslas?
Generally, yes. Check your manual's towing section; Ford, for example, recommends a flatbed tow truck for a disabled Mustang Mach-E.