Can You Push an Electric Car

As electric cars become more common on UK roads, many drivers have questions about what happens if they run out of charge or experience a breakdown. One of the most frequent concerns is whether you can push an electric car in the same way as a petrol or diesel vehicle. At first glance, it may seem straightforward, but because electric cars use advanced drivetrains and braking systems, the answer is not quite as simple as with traditional vehicles. Understanding how EVs are designed and what is safe to do in the event of a problem is important for both owners and anyone who may need to assist.

How Electric Cars Differ from Petrol and Diesel Vehicles

The key difference between electric and conventional cars lies in the transmission and braking system. A petrol or diesel car with a manual gearbox can usually be shifted into neutral and pushed if necessary. Electric vehicles, however, often use a single-speed transmission that is electronically controlled. This means the car may not have a conventional neutral position and instead relies on electronic modes such as park, drive, or reverse. In addition, most EVs are equipped with regenerative braking which automatically slows the vehicle when the driver lifts off the accelerator. This feature can make pushing more difficult because the system resists free rolling.

Can You Put an Electric Car into Neutral

Many electric cars do include a setting that allows them to be placed in a neutral or similar free-rolling mode. This function is usually intended for moving the car short distances during maintenance or when loading onto a recovery truck. To engage it, the driver typically has to press specific buttons or follow a sequence within the vehicle’s controls. It is not the same as a traditional gearbox neutral and is often limited in how long the car will stay in this mode before automatically re-engaging the parking mechanism. This built-in safety measure prevents the car from accidentally rolling when unattended.

Pushing an Electric Car in an Emergency

In theory, if the car is placed into its free-rolling mode, it can be pushed a short distance, for example to move it off the road into a safer position. However, it is not designed for prolonged pushing and should never be treated as a substitute for recovery. Because EVs are heavier than most petrol and diesel cars due to the battery pack, they require more effort to move manually. This extra weight makes pushing more difficult and potentially unsafe, particularly on uneven ground or inclines. It is always recommended to call for roadside assistance rather than attempting to move an electric car too far.

Why Flat Towing is Not Recommended

One of the most important points to understand is that electric cars should not be flat towed with all four wheels on the ground. Unlike many conventional vehicles, towing an EV in this way can damage the electric motor and transmission. This is because the wheels are directly connected to the motor, and being forced to rotate without the car being switched on can generate electrical current and heat in systems not designed for it. Most manufacturers warn against towing for this reason. Instead, EVs should be transported on a flatbed recovery vehicle or with specialist equipment designed for safe movement.

What to Do if Your Electric Car Runs Out of Charge

Running completely out of charge is rare thanks to the warnings and range indicators built into modern EVs, but it can happen if you miscalculate a journey. If the car loses all power, the safest course of action is to stop in a secure location, switch on hazard lights, and call for recovery. Attempting to push the car long distances to the nearest charging point is neither practical nor safe. Roadside recovery services are increasingly equipped with mobile charging solutions or will tow the car to the nearest charge point or service centre.

Safety Precautions When Moving an Electric Car

If it becomes absolutely necessary to push an EV, safety should come first. The car should only be moved on flat ground and with the steering and brakes still functioning. It is important to have someone in the driver’s seat to control the vehicle while it is being pushed. Because of the electronic systems involved, there may be limits to how far or how easily the car can be rolled. For this reason, pushing should only be a temporary solution to get the vehicle out of immediate danger, such as clearing it from a busy road junction.

The Role of Regenerative Braking

Regenerative braking is a feature in almost all modern electric cars that converts motion back into energy for the battery. While this is excellent for efficiency and range, it makes rolling resistance higher than in a standard vehicle. This means that even when in a free-rolling mode, pushing an EV feels more like pushing a car with the handbrake slightly applied. Some manufacturers design their systems so that regenerative braking disengages when the car is placed into neutral mode, but this varies by model. Understanding how your car behaves in these situations is important and usually explained in the owner’s manual.

Conclusion

Yes, you can push an electric car, but only under specific circumstances and usually for very short distances. Unlike petrol or diesel vehicles, EVs do not roll freely unless placed into a special mode, and their heavier weight makes pushing more challenging. They should never be flat towed as this risks damaging the drivetrain. If your electric car runs out of charge, the safest and most practical solution is to call for professional recovery. While pushing may help in a brief emergency to move the car out of harm’s way, it is not a long-term solution and should be approached with caution.