Towing Electric Vehicles: What Utah EV Owners Need to Know

Why EVs Can't Be Wheel-Lift Towed

This is the most important thing EV owners need to understand, and it's not obvious until you understand how electric drivetrains work.

In a gas-powered rear-wheel-drive car, a wheel-lift tow raises the drive wheels off the ground and rolls the car on its front free-spinning wheels — no problem. But in an EV (and most AWD vehicles), the wheels are directly connected to electric motors. When those wheels spin, the motor spins too. And a spinning motor in a regenerative braking system generates electrical current.

Depending on the vehicle, towing at road speed with wheels on the ground can:

• Overheat the motor from continuous low-speed generation
• Overwhelm the battery management system with backfed current
• Damage the inverter or motor controller
• In worst cases, trigger thermal events in the battery pack

Different EV manufacturers have different tolerances — some Teslas can be "flat towed" (all four wheels on the ground) for very short distances at low speeds, but the safest universal rule is: all four wheels off the ground, flatbed only. Never assume your specific model is an exception without consulting the owner's manual.

Utah-Specific EV Challenges

Cold Weather Range Loss

Utah winters hit EV range harder than most drivers expect. At 20–35°F (common SLC winter temperatures), most EVs lose 20–35% of their rated range. Below 0°F — which does happen in northern Utah valleys — some vehicles can lose 40–50% of rated range.

This isn't a defect; it's physics. Cold temperatures reduce lithium-ion battery efficiency, and heating the cabin consumes significant power that in a gas car would come "free" from engine waste heat. The practical consequence: if your Tesla Model 3 says 358 miles of range on paper, budget for 230–280 miles in a Utah January.

Elevation Changes and Canyon Driving

Utah's geography creates an unusual EV dynamic. Driving up Parley's Canyon (I-80 eastbound) from Salt Lake City to Park City gains roughly 2,400 feet of elevation — this costs range. The good news: the descent back down regenerates energy. But if you're towing a trailer, carrying maximum load, or battling a headwind on the way up, the range cost can be significant.

Plan canyon routes with more buffer than usual. Note the charging locations at the bottom and top of mountain passes, and avoid running below 20% if you're heading into a canyon stretch with no chargers.

Charging Infrastructure on Utah Highways

The Salt Lake Valley has excellent charging density — multiple Tesla Supercharger locations, Electrify America stations, and ChargePoint network throughout the metro. But once you leave I-15 or I-80, coverage thins quickly.

Key sparse stretches for Utah EV drivers:

• SR-6 (Price to Salt Lake): Long stretch with limited fast charging options
• US-89 north toward Logan: Improving but still sparse for non-Tesla vehicles
• I-70 (Grand Junction corridor): Improving with federal infrastructure funding, but plan carefully
• Rural southern Utah (Moab, St. George area): Growing, but always verify charging availability before a trip to national parks

What to Do If Your EV Runs Out of Charge

Unlike a gas car (where running out of fuel is easily solved with a gas can), a completely discharged EV cannot be refueled in the field. You need to either reach a charger under your own power or get a flatbed tow to one. Here's the process:

1. Don't wait for 0%: When your range estimate drops below 15–20 miles, start making decisions. Pull off at a safe spot, contact your vehicle's roadside assistance if included (Tesla, Rivian, and others offer this), or call a tow company directly.
2. Check your vehicle's app: Many EVs have in-app roadside assistance that can dispatch a flatbed tow or, for some models, a mobile charger that can provide enough charge to reach the nearest fast charger.
3. Call for a flatbed tow: Specify flatbed-only, your vehicle make and model, and the destination charging location. Most SLC tow operators know their local Supercharger and Electrify America locations.
4. Do not let anyone wheel-lift your vehicle: Even if the operator says "I do it all the time" — the risk of drivetrain damage is real and the repair bill can run $3,000–$10,000+.

EV Towing Quick Reference

• ✅ Flatbed (rollback) towing: Safe for all EVs
• ✅ Flatbed with all four wheels secured: Correct
• ❌ Wheel-lift towing: Never for EVs
• ❌ Hook and chain: Never for any modern vehicle
• ❌ Flat towing (all wheels on ground): Only if explicitly authorized in your owner's manual for your specific model
• ⚠️ Always confirm "flatbed only" when you call — don't assume the dispatcher knows your vehicle is electric

Utah's EV population is growing quickly, and most reputable tow operators in Salt Lake City are well-versed in EV requirements. When in doubt, ask explicitly, and don't hesitate to decline service if the operator doesn't have the right equipment.