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EV Recovery Equipment Guide

Recovering electric vehicles (EVs) presents unique challenges compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars due to heavy underbody lithium-ion battery packs, high-voltage systems (400V–800V), and non-freewheeling drivetrains. Specialized equipment is essential to safely move, tow, and handle breakdown scenarios without damaging the vehicle or endangering the operator.

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Vehicle Moving & Towing Equipment

  • Flatbed / Tilt-Slide Recovery Trucks: The industry standard for EV transport. Because many EVs lack a true mechanical neutral and generate electrical current via regenerative braking when wheels rotate, they must be carried entirely off the ground to avoid battery or motor damage.
  • Wheel Skates, Dollies & GoJak Rollers: Essential when an EV’s electronic parking brake is stuck, wheels are locked, or the low-voltage (12V) system is dead. These allow operators to maneuver the vehicle onto a flatbed without dragging wheels.
  • Low-Angle Recovery Ramps / Air Suspension Beds: EVs feature low ground clearance and sensitive underbody battery enclosures. Flatbeds with extra-long ramps or hydraulic tilt mechanisms prevent scraping the battery frame during loading.
  • Soft-Strap Tie-Down Systems: Wheel-chock and tire-strap tie-down assemblies secure the vehicle on the bed without placing stress or load on chassis or suspension components.
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PPE & High-Voltage Tools

  • Voltage-Rated Insulated Gloves: Class 0 (1,000V) or higher rubber gloves tested with outer leather protectors, worn whenever handling exposed wiring or potentially compromised high-voltage components.
  • Insulated Hand Tools: VDE/IEC 60900 certified tools insulated to 1,000V for safely disconnecting or isolating systems if required.
  • Arc Flash Visors & Fire-Retardant Clothing: Protects operators against potential electrical arcing during high-risk accident scenarios.
  • Non-Contact Voltage Detectors & Multimeters: Used to verify that high-voltage lines or body panels are safe before touching.
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Powering & Roadside Assistance

  • Mobile DC Fast Chargers / Boosters: Portable battery-powered units (e.g., 20–50 kW output) used to provide a quick 10–20 minute roadside boost, giving the EV enough range to reach the nearest public charger.
  • 12V Jump Starter / Power Packs: Crucial because an EV’s main contactors and electronic controls rely on the standard 12V auxiliary battery. If the 12V battery is dead, the car cannot shift into neutral or release the electric parking brake.
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Fire Containment & Emergency Safety

  • Thermal Runaway Fire Blankets: Large, heat-resistant blankets (capable of withstanding up to 1,000°C+) designed to smother and contain a damaged or off-gassing EV battery pack to prevent fire spread during transit.
  • Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC): Used to scan the underside of the vehicle to detect overheating or rising temperatures inside the battery module before loading.
  • Disconnection / Emergency Cut Plugs: Safety plugs inserted into vehicle-specific cut points to ensure the high-voltage system remains safely isolated during transport.