Electric Vehicle (EV) Towing

Electric Vehicle (EV) Towing in Gilbert, AZ

If you drive a Tesla, Rivian, Chevy Bolt, or any other electric vehicle in Gilbert, you already know the drill — range anxiety, charging station availability, and the nagging question: “What happens if my EV breaks down?” Here’s what most people don’t realize: you can’t just call any tow truck for an electric vehicle. Standard towing methods — dollies, wheel-lifts, even some flatbeds — can seriously damage your EV’s drivetrain, battery pack, and regenerative braking system. Thompson’s Auto Repair & Towing is one of the few towing companies in the East Valley that actually understands how to move electric vehicles safely. We use dedicated flatbed tow trucks for every EV call, and our crew knows the specific handling requirements for Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, Ford, Chevy, and other EV brands. Based right here in Gilbert and serving the surrounding cities 24/7, we’ve been in the towing and auto repair business for over 30 years. Call us at 480-418-9206 anytime — day or night.

Why Electric Vehicles Need Specialized Towing

This isn’t marketing hype — there are real mechanical reasons why EVs require different towing procedures than gas-powered cars. If you’re an EV owner, understanding this could save you thousands of dollars in damage.

The Drivetrain Problem

In a traditional car, the transmission can be shifted into neutral, and the wheels spin freely. Electric vehicles don’t work that way. Most EVs have a single-speed direct-drive system connected to the electric motor. When the wheels turn, the motor turns. When the motor turns, it generates electricity (that’s regenerative braking). Towing an EV with its wheels on the ground — whether using a dolly or a wheel-lift — forces the motor to spin. This generates heat, can overcharge the battery, and may cause permanent damage to the drive unit.

Battery Pack Concerns

EV battery packs sit underneath the vehicle, spanning most of the floor. They’re heavy (often 1,000+ pounds), and they’re vulnerable to impact damage from below. A careless tow — dragging a lowered EV onto a flatbed without proper positioning, or using chains that contact the undercarriage — risks puncturing or stressing the battery enclosure. A damaged lithium-ion battery isn’t just expensive. It’s a fire hazard.

Regenerative Braking Systems

Some EVs have regenerative braking that activates automatically when the wheels move, even when the car is “off.” Towing these vehicles with wheels on the ground can trigger the regen system, which creates braking resistance, generates heat in the motor, and feeds uncontrolled power back into the battery. It’s a recipe for electrical system damage.

How Thompson’s Handles EV Towing

Every electric vehicle we tow gets flatbed service — no exceptions. Here’s our process:

Step 1: You call us at 480-418-9206. Tell our dispatcher you have an EV and give us the make and model. We’ll send a flatbed equipped for your vehicle.

Step 2: Our driver arrives and assesses the situation. We check whether the vehicle can be put into “Transport Mode” (Tesla’s term) or the equivalent neutral/tow mode for your specific brand. This disengages the parking brake and motor lock so the car can be loaded safely.

Step 3: We load your EV using soft-contact methods. No chains on the body. No dragging. We use wheel straps and soft-tie systems to secure the vehicle on the flatbed without contacting painted surfaces or the undercarriage.

Step 4: Transport to your destination. Whether that’s your home, a dealership, a charging station, or our own repair shop on Gilbert Road, your vehicle rides on the flatbed the entire way. Wheels never touch the pavement.

Step 5: If your EV needs repair, we can handle it. Thompson’s isn’t just a towing company — we’re a full-service auto repair shop too. If your electric vehicle has a mechanical issue (suspension, brakes, tires, 12V battery, etc.), we can diagnose and fix it right here. No need for a second trip to a dealership.

EV Models We Tow in Gilbert

We’ve towed every major electric vehicle brand on the road today. Here are the most common EVs we handle in the Gilbert and East Valley area:

  • Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X — By far the most common EV in Gilbert. We know the Transport Mode procedure for every Tesla variant.
  • Chevrolet Bolt EV & Bolt EUV — Compact and popular. Requires flatbed towing — no dolly or wheel-lift.
  • Chevrolet Equinox EV — The newer SUV-sized Chevy EV. Same flatbed-only protocol.
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E — Ford’s electric SUV. Must be flatbedded; wheel-lift towing voids the drivetrain warranty.
  • Ford F-150 Lightning — Electric trucks are heavy. Our flatbeds handle the weight.
  • Rivian R1T & R1S — Premium electric truck and SUV. We see these around Power Ranch and Morrison Ranch regularly.
  • Lucid Air — High-end luxury EV. Requires careful handling and flatbed-only transport.
  • BMW iX & i4 — BMW’s electric lineup needs the same flatbed treatment.
  • Hyundai Ioniq 5 & 6 — Popular mid-range EVs. Flatbed required.
  • Kia EV6 & EV9 — Same platform as the Ioniq. Flatbed only.

If your EV isn’t on this list, don’t worry. The rule is simple: every electric vehicle gets a flatbed. Call us and we’ll take care of it.

Common Reasons EV Owners Call Us

Driving an EV in Gilbert and the East Valley is mostly smooth sailing — until it isn’t. Here are the situations where EV owners typically need our help:

  • Dead battery / no charge: You misjudged the range, the charging station was out of order, or the Arizona heat degraded your battery faster than expected. We’ll flatbed your EV to the nearest working charger or your home.
  • Flat tire: Most EVs don’t carry a spare. The tires are specialty (low rolling resistance, higher load rating), and your typical roadside tire shop may not stock them. We’ll tow you to a shop that does.
  • 12V battery failure: Every EV still has a small 12-volt battery for accessories, lights, and door locks. When it dies, the car won’t start. We can jump the 12V battery roadside or tow you to our shop for a replacement.
  • Accident or collision: After a fender-bender on the 202 or Gilbert Road, your EV needs flatbed transport to a collision center. Never let anyone wheel-lift a damaged EV.
  • Warranty or recall work: Need to get your EV to the dealership for service but it’s not driveable? We’ll flatbed it there.
  • Software glitch / won’t shift out of Park: It happens. Sometimes an EV’s computers lock up and the car won’t move. We know the manual release procedures for most brands.

EV Charging Stations Near Gilbert, AZ

If you’ve run out of charge and just need a ride to the nearest plug, here are some of the EV charging locations in and around Gilbert:

  • Tesla Supercharger — SanTan Village: Located near the SanTan Village mall off Williams Field Road and Santan Village Parkway.
  • ChargePoint stations at various locations along Gilbert Road and Val Vista Drive.
  • Electrify America stations at select Walmart locations in Mesa and Chandler.
  • EVgo fast chargers near Loop 202 Santan corridor.

If your preferred station is full or broken (it happens more than it should), call us and we’ll get you to an available charger.

Why Choose Thompson’s for EV Towing

Bryan Vivian started Thompson’s Auto Repair & Towing over 30 years ago, back when electric vehicles were science fiction. But the business has always been about one thing: taking care of people’s cars the right way. That means staying current with technology, investing in the right equipment, and training our crew on the vehicles people actually drive.

Here’s what sets us apart for EV towing in Gilbert:

  • Flatbed-only policy for all EVs. No shortcuts, no wheel-lifts, no dollies. Period.
  • We know EV tow modes. Tesla Transport Mode, Ford Tow Mode, Rivian’s procedure — our drivers are trained on all of them.
  • Tow AND repair under one roof. Most towing companies drop your car off and that’s it. If your EV has a fixable issue — brakes, suspension, tires, 12V battery, basic electrical — we can handle it in our shop. No middleman, no second tow to another shop.
  • 24/7 availability. EVs don’t only break down during business hours. Call 480-418-9206 anytime.
  • Local knowledge. We know Gilbert’s roads, the 202 interchange bottlenecks, the side streets in Power Ranch and Morrison Ranch. We get to you fast because we know where you are.

Service Areas for EV Towing

We provide electric vehicle towing throughout Gilbert and the East Valley, including these Gilbert neighborhoods and communities:

  • Power Ranch
  • Agritopia
  • Val Vista Lakes
  • Morrison Ranch
  • Seville
  • SanTan Village area
  • Heritage District (Downtown Gilbert)
  • Higley area
  • Gilbert & Guadalupe corridor

We also serve nearby cities: Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Phoenix. Long-distance EV towing is available too — just ask.

Frequently Asked Questions — EV Towing

Can I tow my Tesla with a dolly?

No. Tesla explicitly states that all four wheels must be off the ground during towing. Dolly towing (front or rear wheels on the ground) will damage the drive unit and void your warranty. Always use a flatbed — which is exactly what Thompson’s provides.

How much does it cost to tow an electric vehicle?

EV towing rates are similar to our standard flatbed towing rates. The price depends on distance and your specific situation. Call us at 480-418-9206 for a quick quote — we’re upfront about pricing with no hidden fees.

My EV ran out of charge on the 202. Can you bring a charger to me?

Mobile EV charging isn’t widely available yet (though it’s coming). What we can do is flatbed your vehicle to the nearest working charging station or to your home if you have a home charger. We’ll get you plugged in as quickly as possible.

Can Thompson’s repair my electric vehicle?

We handle many EV repairs — tire replacement, brake service, suspension work, 12V battery replacement, and general mechanical issues. For high-voltage battery or drivetrain issues specific to the EV system, we’ll refer you to a certified EV specialist or your dealer. But for everything else? We’ve got you covered.

Do you tow hybrid vehicles too?

Yes. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and standard hybrids should also be flatbedded to protect the electric drive components. We treat hybrids with the same care as full EVs.

Call Thompson’s for EV Towing in Gilbert — 480-418-9206

Don’t trust your Tesla, Rivian, or any other electric vehicle to a tow company that doesn’t understand EV-specific requirements. Thompson’s Auto Repair & Towing has the equipment, the training, and 30+ years of experience taking care of vehicles in Gilbert, AZ. We’re available 24/7, and we’ll treat your EV like it’s our own.

Call 480-418-9206 now. We’ll send a flatbed your way.