Towing and storing a damaged EV: flatbeds, safe distances and who to tell
How to move a damaged EV safely, keep it isolated and brief every handler
Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation built this guide from National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidance and rules, federal regulations and published research on battery fire smoke. Every source is listed at the end. Our guide to an electric vehicle after a serious collision covers the first steps at the scene and the towing basics.
Why the danger outlasts the accident scene
Once the road reopens, it is natural to feel the worst is over. With a damaged electric vehicle (EV), the car itself may still be a hazard. Its high voltage battery, the large pack that powers the motor, can hold a lot of energy after a collision.
What “stranded energy” means
When a pack is damaged, the cells that survived still hold their charge. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) calls this stranded energy. It found that stranded energy can make a battery reignite more than once, even after firefighters put out the flames [1]. Responders cannot tell how much energy is left in a damaged pack, and they cannot drain it [1].
A companion article explains the science of reignition. This one follows the car: the tow, the storage lot and the people who need to know.
What NTSB saw after the tow truck arrived
NTSB took a close look at four EV battery fires from a one year period, August 2017 to August 2018 [1]. One of them, a 2018 collision, also has its own full crash report [3]. The risk followed these cars well past the scene of the wreck.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
When NTSB saw damaged batteries flare up again
| Stage | What NTSB reported |
|---|---|
| Winching onto a truck | The battery case came loose and the battery reignited [1] |
| Loading debris | The battery flared briefly when a chain passed over its case [1] |
| Unloading at the yard | About 3 hours after a crash, the battery briefly arced and smoked [1] |
| About 20 minutes at the lot | Firefighters were called back for venting sounds from the wreck [3] |
| Five days after the crash | Firefighters returned to the impound lot for a reported fire [3] |
In another case, a tow driver’s arms were lightly burned as he lowered a burning SUV off his flatbed. The controls he had to use sat close to the sides of the vehicle [1].
Who handles the car once responders leave
Firefighters, police and EMS crews are first responders. Federal rules define a second responder as a worker who supports them, for example by cleaning up a site or towing vehicles [4]. That includes tow operators, storage yard staff, salvage workers and repair technicians.
Automakers must now send NHTSA an emergency response guide and a shorter rescue sheet before the first covered electric powered vehicle is sold or leased [4]. An emergency response guide is a detailed responder manual for one specific vehicle. It must cover fire, submersion, fluid leaks, towing, transport and storage [4]. The rule applies to vehicles built on or after December 22, 2025 [4].
NHTSA published the rule in December 2024, and a later notice moved its effective date to March 20, 2025 [6, 7]. The guides must follow the layout of ISO 17840, an international standard for responder information [4, 6]. NHTSA posts them in a public online library, searchable by make and model, that covers battery electric, plug in hybrid, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles [5].
If your car is older or not listed, ask the dealer for the automaker’s towing and storage instructions.
Getting a damaged EV onto the truck safely
The tow is often the first time anyone moves the battery since the collision. A trained operator treats it as a hazardous load.
Why a flatbed is the safe default
EVs and hybrids need extra care when towed. They can be damaged if towed with the drive axle on the ground, because those wheels connect to an electric motor [2]. NHTSA tells owners to check the owner’s manual for the right method [2].
After a wreck, the car may not roll or steer. A flatbed, a truck whose bed tilts down so the whole car rides on it, keeps all four wheels off the road. When anyone is unsure, it is the safer request.
Gentle handling matters
Winches, chains and straps can press on or rub the battery case. In the NTSB cases, flare ups came during winching and when a chain crossed the battery case [1]. A careful operator will usually:
- Check the guide for lift points, tie down points and areas to avoid.
- Keep chains, straps and lifting gear clear of the battery case.
- Load slowly and watch for smoke, hissing, popping or a sharp smell.
- Keep people back from the sides of the car during loading and unloading.
What you can do during the tow
Your job is to make sure the operator knows what they are picking up.
- Say clearly that the car is electric or hybrid and was in a crash.
- Mention any hit to the underside, a curb strike or debris under the car.
- Share the make, model and year so the right guide can be found.
- Ask where the car is going and whether that spot has open space around it.
- Stay well back and upwind during loading, with children and pets away.
Isolation distances: what 50 feet means in practice
Isolation distance is the open space kept around a damaged EV so a fire, if one starts, has less chance to spread. The usual figure is 50 feet, about 15 meters.
NHTSA advises keeping a damaged vehicle that has a lithium ion battery out of garages and at least 50 feet from a home, another building, a vehicle or anything that can burn [2]. NTSB also describes a 50 foot clear radius as the recommended storage practice, and one automaker’s guide in its cases called for it [1].
The catch is that this much space is hard to find. NTSB found that a 50 foot clear zone may not be workable at tow or storage yards [1]. In one case, the yard lacked room for the 50 foot circle the automaker’s engineers urged [1]. In another, the wreck sat roughly 40 feet from other cars on two sides, 20 feet on a third, and 10 feet from a concrete wall [1].
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
What good isolation looks like at each stop
| Location | What good isolation looks like | Common problem |
|---|---|---|
| Roadside | Car loaded away from other vehicles, brush and buildings | Narrow shoulders and traffic |
| Tow or storage yard | Its own open spot, about 50 feet from cars and buildings [1, 2] | Cars parked in tight rows |
| Body shop | An outdoor holding area until the battery is cleared | Pressure to move it into a bay |
| Home | Rarely workable: no garage, and 50 feet from the house and other cars [2] | Driveways next to the house |
Quarantine storage: what a safe holding spot looks like
Quarantine storage means keeping a damaged EV apart, outdoors and watched until a qualified person decides the battery is stable.
No single waiting period fits every car, because no one can measure the energy left in a damaged pack [1]. In the 2018 crash, firefighters were called to the impound lot about 20 minutes after the car arrived, and again 5 days after the crash [3]. That is why the release decision belongs to a qualified technician or the automaker’s team, not to the calendar.
Smoke is a hazard of its own
Researchers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NIOSH and fire safety labs burned six EVs and two gas powered cars in full scale tests [8]. The EV smoke held more metals and was strongly enriched in fluoride [8]. Gram for gram, most EV smoke samples were more mutagenic than gas car smoke, meaning more able to damage genetic material [8].
Keep people and pets away from any smoke. If anyone breathed it, tell a doctor or call your local poison center. A Dutch clinical report notes that lung swelling from hydrogen fluoride, a gas burning lithium ion batteries can give off, may appear up to 12 hours after exposure [9].
Why one plan does not fit every EV
Battery packs differ in size, chemistry, shape and placement. NTSB urged automakers to model their guides on ISO 17840 and add vehicle specific steps for battery fires, stranded energy and safe storage [1].
Some automakers have tools to drain a high voltage battery, but they usually fit only one vehicle and work only when the battery is still whole [1]. In the 2018 collision, the automaker’s engineers began removing damaged cells at the scene. They stopped after hearing popping sounds and judging that more work would be unsafe [3]. The SUV then rode a flatbed to an impound lot with a highway patrol and fire department escort [3].
This is why NHTSA tells owners to contact the dealer right away after damage, emergency or not [2]. Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation gives owners the same advice. The dealer or automaker can say whether special handling applies.
Questions to ask the dealer or automaker
- Is there a towing or transport method for this vehicle when it is damaged?
- How far from buildings and other vehicles should it be stored, and how should it be watched?
- Can the battery be checked or made safe, and who does that work?
- Is there a nearby facility trained to inspect or store this model?
- Are there open recalls on this vehicle identification number (VIN)?
NHTSA’s free recall lookup uses the 17 character VIN shown on the lower left of the windshield [10].
Who to tell, and what to tell them
A damaged EV passes through many hands. Each person needs the same short story: it is electric, it was in a crash, and the battery may be damaged.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Who to tell about a damaged EV and what to ask
| Who | What to tell them | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| 911 or the fire department | A fire, or smoke or other signs of one, at any stage [2] | Nothing at first. Get everyone away |
| Tow operator | EV or hybrid, crash details, any underside hit | Flatbed? Will you follow the automaker’s guide? |
| Storage yard | Possible high voltage battery damage | Where will it sit, and who checks it? |
| Your insurer or adjuster | EV battery concern and where the car is | Who will inspect the battery? Can it move to a safer site? |
| Dealer or automaker | Crash details and the VIN [2] | Any special towing, storage or inspection steps? |
| Repair shop or salvage buyer | Every known battery hit, and any smoke or fire since | Where will it wait before work starts? |
| NHTSA | Only if you suspect a defect played a role | How to file a safety complaint [11] |
Put the key facts in writing. A short email or text to the tow company, yard and adjuster survives shift changes and handoffs. Keep copies with your claim papers.
You can file a vehicle safety complaint with NHTSA online or by calling its hotline at 888-327-4236 [11]. That makes sense if you believe a defect caused or worsened a fire, not for collision damage alone. For bills, rental cars and storage charges, see our guide to towing, storage fees and getting around after a crash.
Every move restarts the risk
A damaged EV may go from the scene to a tow yard, then to a shop or inspection site, then to a salvage auction or recycler. NTSB saw flare ups during both loading and unloading [1]. Each stop needs its own isolated spot.
- Ask your insurer to limit how often the car is moved, if that is an option.
- Make sure the next handler gets the full history, including any smoke or fire.
- If the car is a total loss, tell the insurer and salvage buyer about every battery hit you know of.
- Do not agree to keep the car in your garage or carport to save on storage fees.
- Never try to drive a damaged EV onto a truck or charge it to “see if it works.”
If you need to collect belongings, ask yard staff to walk you to the car and keep the visit short. Stay out of the battery and wiring areas.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have my damaged EV towed home to save storage fees?
Usually not. NHTSA advises keeping a damaged lithium ion vehicle out of garages and at least 50 feet from homes, other vehicles and anything that can burn [2]. Few home lots allow that much space. Ask your insurer whether the car can move to a yard with an isolated spot, and get storage rates in writing.
How long does a damaged EV need to be watched?
No single number fits every car, because responders cannot measure the energy left in a damaged pack [1]. In one case, the fire department was called back to the impound lot 5 days later [3]. Keep the car in isolated storage until a qualified technician or the automaker’s team says the battery is stable.
The car looks fine. Do I still need to say it is electric?
Yes. Battery damage is not always visible, especially after a hit to the underside or a curb strike. NHTSA tells owners to contact the dealer after damage, even when it is not an emergency [2]. Telling the tow operator, yard and insurer helps them choose the right truck and parking spot.
Where do I find my car’s emergency response guide?
NHTSA posts emergency response guides and rescue sheets in an online library that you can filter by make and model [5]. Automakers must submit guides for covered electric powered vehicles built on or after December 22, 2025, and those guides must include towing, transport and storage [4]. For older models, ask the dealer or automaker for the same instructions.
Does this apply to hybrids too?
Yes. Hybrids and plug in hybrids also carry high voltage batteries. NHTSA’s towing caution covers hybrids too [2], and its guide library includes hybrid, plug in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles [5]. The same steps apply: tell every handler, follow the automaker’s guide, and keep the car outdoors and apart until it is cleared.
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation urges owners to ask for careful handling, isolated outdoor storage and written notice at every handoff. For a damaged EV, clearing the road is not the end of the emergency. The battery can hold stranded energy that no one can measure, and NTSB has seen packs flare during loading, at the yard and days later. A careful tow, about 50 feet of open space and watched outdoor storage give everyone more margin.
You do not have to manage the battery yourself. Your part is to share the facts early and in writing, ask good questions, and refuse shortcuts like garage storage or a test charge. That keeps your family, the tow crew and everyone at each stop safer.
Related articles
- What to do with an electric vehicle after a serious crash
- Electric and hybrid vehicle safety: a practical guide for families
- Towing, storage fees and getting around after a serious crash
- Tow yard storage fees that keep climbing after a crash
- What to know about car repairs and total loss after a serious crash
Sources and further reading
- 1National Transportation Safety Board. Safety Risks to Emergency Responders from Lithium-Ion Battery Fires in Electric Vehicles (Safety Report NTSB/SR-20/01). Adopted November 13, 2020. Data year: 2017 to 2018 (four EV battery fires from August 2017 to August 2018). ntsb.gov/…/SR2001.pdf
- 2National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Electric and Hybrid Vehicles: Battery, Charging & Safety. No update date shown; accessed October 2026. nhtsa.gov/…/electric-and-hybrid-vehicles
- 3National Transportation Safety Board. Collision Between a Sport Utility Vehicle Operating With Partial Driving Automation and a Crash Attenuator (Highway Accident Report NTSB/HAR-20/01). Adopted February 25, 2020. Data year: 2018 (crash of March 23, 2018). ntsb.gov/…/HAR2001.pdf
- 4Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 49 CFR Part 561, Documentation for Electric-Powered Vehicles. Up to date as of September 18, 2026. ecfr.gov/…/part-561
- 5National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Emergency Response Guides. No update date shown; accessed October 2026. nhtsa.gov/emergency-response-guides
- 6National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Register. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; FMVSS No. 305a Electric-Powered Vehicles: Electric Powertrain Integrity Global Technical Regulation No. 20, Incorporation by Reference (final rule, 89 FR 104318). Published December 20, 2024. federalregister.gov/…/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standards…
- 7National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Register. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; FMVSS No. 305a Electric-Powered Vehicles (final rule; delay of effective date to March 20, 2025; 90 FR 9609). Published February 14, 2025. federalregister.gov/…/federal-motor-vehicle-safety-standards…
- 8Kim YH, Nored A, Horn GP, et al. Chemical components of electric vehicle and internal combustion engine vehicle fire smoke and their mutagenic effects. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2025;32(46):26629-26639. doi:10.1007/s11356-025-37210-9 (via PubMed). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41269589
- 9Leegwater E, van Rijckevorsel D, Koppen A, et al. Fire in an electric car: the risks of lithium ion battery fire (in Dutch, English abstract). Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde. 2026;170 (via PubMed). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41642081
- 10National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Check for Recalls: Vehicle, Car Seat, Tire, Equipment. No update date shown; accessed October 2026. nhtsa.gov/recalls
- 11National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Report a Vehicle Safety Problem, Equipment Issue. No update date shown; accessed October 2026. nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem
This article reflects the safety priorities of towing, storing and handling damaged electric and hybrid vehicles. It is general safety education, not legal, insurance, medical or financial advice. Rules and automaker instructions change, so verify details with official sources. For your own vehicle, contact the dealer or automaker, your tow operator, your insurer and your local fire department. If anyone was exposed to smoke from a battery fire, contact a medical provider or your local poison center. Reviewed October 2026.
Cite this article: Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation. “Towing and storing a damaged EV: flatbeds, safe distances and who to tell.” drivewithcare.org, https://drivewithcare.org/towing-storing-crash-damaged-ev/. Reviewed October 2026.
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