EV flat
EV Out of Charge? Recovery Across Birmingham
Running an EV out of usable charge is the electric equivalent of running out of fuel, but the fix is different — there's no can of charge we can carry to top you up on the roadside, so recovery to the nearest working charge point or your home charger is generally the way forward.
We recover EVs across Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell and the Black Country on flatbeds appropriate for electric vehicles, since most EVs shouldn't be towed conventionally with the wheels on the road due to the electric motors and regenerative braking system.
Why EVs need loading, not towing
Many electric vehicles have motors connected directly to the wheels that can generate unwanted current or even damage if the wheels are turned while being towed. As a general rule, we load EVs onto a flatbed rather than tow them, which also avoids any risk to the drivetrain.
Getting safe first
If your battery indicator is heading towards zero, try to reach a safe place to stop rather than pushing on hoping for a few more miles — many EVs give a fairly accurate remaining range estimate, but hills, weather and heating use can all reduce it faster than expected. Hazard lights on, and get yourself and passengers safe if you're on a faster road.
Where we take you
We can recover you to the nearest working public charger, though it's worth checking it's actually operational and compatible with your car before we set off, since arriving at a broken or incompatible charger doesn't solve the problem. Recovery to your home charger is usually the most reliable option if that's not too far.
- Check the nearest charger is working before heading there
- Home charger recovery is often simplest if it's not too far away
- Cold weather and hills reduce range faster than the display may suggest
- We load EVs on a flatbed — no towing on driven wheels
Planning ahead
If range anxiety is a recurring issue on certain routes, it's worth building in a bigger buffer than the display suggests, particularly in cold weather or on motorways at higher speeds, both of which noticeably increase energy use compared with the official range figures.
Questions we get asked
Can you bring a portable charge to top up my battery?
We don't carry portable EV charging equipment; the practical solution is recovery to a working charger or your home charging point.
Will towing damage my EV?
Many EVs shouldn't be towed conventionally due to the motor and regenerative braking system, which is why we load them onto a flatbed instead.
How do I know if a charger near me is actually working?
It's worth checking a charging app or the charge point operator's status before heading there, since arriving at a faulty charger with an empty battery isn't ideal.
Is it safe to keep driving on very low range?
It's risky, since actual range can drop faster than displayed in cold weather, on motorways, or uphill — better to stop somewhere safe once you're uncertain.
EV battery hit zero?
Call 07402 666 687 and we'll recover your electric vehicle safely to a charger or home across Birmingham.