You cannot tow a Tesla the traditional way for exactly this reason. Flatbed or using dollies. Plus, you have to use Tow mode which disengages the electric parking brake to get it up on the flatbed.
Towing with wheels on the ground will invalidate your warranty.
https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/downloads/roadside_assistance_extract.pdf
I think Teslas use a regenerative brakes, basically when brakes are applied there is a assembly that will act as a generator and recharge the battery though its not 100% efficient.
Towing the car would not cause that issue. Because simply put
Battery —-> Motor —–> Movement
Battery <—- Motor <—- movement (Not possible)
Battery —–>Generator —->movement (Not possible)
Battery <—–Generator <—–Movement
A generator converts mechanical to electrical based on the build normally brushes creating a magnetic field yada yada yada.
A motor converts the electrical into mechanical energy. A motor cannot act as a generator.
You can actually do it. I own a Tesla and have done it. I hooked up a tow rope and had someone pull me with a pickup truck down the interstate for about 200 miles. It recharged the whole way. From the perspective of the car it just thought it was going downhill. No difference than going down a long mountain. It will regen the whole way.
Latest Answers