Sourced fact
Occupant protection and separation from moving traffic take priority over inspecting or repairing the vehicle.
Ownership · UK
Hand an EV breakdown to professional recovery
After a breakdown, stop driving and protect occupants from moving traffic before dealing with the vehicle. Call a professional EV-trained recovery service and give the exact location, traffic risk, vulnerable occupants and vehicle identity. Do not attempt a roadside repair, private tow or movement procedure; call 999 first for a live-lane stop or immediate danger.
Reviewed
Key facts and evidence
For a UK EV breakdown, reviewed 13 August 2026, the owner task is to protect people, stop driving and hand the vehicle to professional recovery. Give location, traffic risk, vulnerable occupants and exact vehicle identity. A live-lane stop or immediate danger goes to 999 first; no roadside repair, towing, loading or movement method is published.
Sourced fact
Professional roadside assistance should be told the exact location, traffic risk and needs of vulnerable occupants.
Sourced fact
Give the exact make, model, variant, model year and EV type, and state unknown rather than inferring a drive configuration.
Department for Transport: Recovery operators: working with electric vehicles
Sourced fact
A live motorway lane, inability to exit safely or immediate danger requires 999 before the recovery provider.
The occupant-safety, EV recovery and vehicle-information handoff for a UK breakdown, without roadside repair or towing instructions.
Protect people first
Use normal controls to stop in relative safety where possible, use hazard warning lights and keep occupants away from moving traffic. If the vehicle is in a live lane or anyone cannot exit safely, call 999 and follow emergency direction.
Make the recovery handoff
Tell the provider the exact location, traffic exposure and any vulnerable occupants, and request resources suitable for the specific EV. A private tow or untrained helper is not substituted for professional recovery.
Give exact vehicle identity
Provide the registration, make, exact model and variant, model year if known and confirmed EV type. Give driven-axle information only when the exact handbook confirms it; otherwise say that it is unknown and let the operator obtain current manufacturer information.
What to do next
Do not continue the journey or attempt roadside mechanical, electrical, towing or vehicle-movement work.
Immediate action: Protect occupants, call 999 for immediate danger and otherwise request professional EV-trained recovery.
- A live lane, unsafe exit, collision, fire sign, battery warning or immediate risk requires emergency-service control before recovery.
Checks that stay with this vehicle
If possible, stop in a place of relative safety, use hazard warning lights and keep occupants away from moving traffic.
People are visible and separated from the traffic-facing side while professional help is arranged.
Anyone cannot reach relative safety, the vehicle is in a live lane or there is immediate danger.
Request professional EV-trained roadside assistance and state the exact location, traffic risk and vulnerable occupants.
A professional provider accepts the incident with enough information to select suitable EV recovery resources.
Call 999 first if the vehicle is in a live lane, anyone is at immediate risk or serious hazard signs are present.
Give the registration, make, exact model and variant, model year if known and the confirmed EV type.
The operator can identify the exact vehicle and obtain current manufacturer recovery information.
State unknown rather than inferring the variant, EV type or driven axle from appearance or another model.
Professional hand-off
- Transfer all vehicle inspection, roadside repair, loading, towing and movement decisions to emergency services or the EV-trained recovery operator.
Questions this record can answer
What does the sourced evidence say about protect people first?
Use normal controls to stop in relative safety where possible, use hazard warning lights and keep occupants away from moving traffic. If the vehicle is in a live lane or anyone cannot exit safely, call 999 and follow emergency direction.
What does the sourced evidence say about make the recovery handoff?
Tell the provider the exact location, traffic exposure and any vulnerable occupants, and request resources suitable for the specific EV. A private tow or untrained helper is not substituted for professional recovery.
What does the sourced evidence say about give exact vehicle identity?
Provide the registration, make, exact model and variant, model year if known and confirmed EV type. Give driven-axle information only when the exact handbook confirms it; otherwise say that it is unknown and let the operator obtain current manufacturer information.