Quick Summary:
- Move to a safe spot, activate hazards, and assess traffic risks.
- Call the rental roadside number, ask specifically for EV flatbed towing.
- Photograph battery level, dashboard warnings, location, and tow paperwork for billing.
- Expect possible fees for towing, charging, admin time, and avoidable negligence.
Running out of charge in an electric rental can feel stressful, especially if you are new to EVs or driving long distances across California. The good news is that most situations are manageable when you follow a simple roadside plan, contact the right party, and make sure the recovery method is correct for an EV. This guide focuses on three things that protect you: roadside safety, arranging the correct tow (often a flatbed, not a standard hook-and-tow), and documenting everything so the final bill is fair and predictable.
This article is written for travellers using car hire in California, including airport pickups and long drives where chargers might be busy, out of service, or further away than expected.
Step 1: Get safe first, before you make calls
Your first responsibility is to reduce risk to you, passengers, and other road users. If your EV is still moving, aim for a safe stopping place that does not put you in danger.
Do: turn on hazard lights, slow down gradually, and pull into a well-lit parking area if possible. If you are on a motorway or busy freeway shoulder, stay in the vehicle with seatbelts on unless conditions make it unsafe, and keep doors locked. If you must exit, do so on the side away from traffic and move to a protected area behind a barrier.
Do not: attempt to push the vehicle in live lanes, or accept help from informal tow operators who approach you without being dispatched by your rental provider. In California, unsolicited tow offers can lead to inflated charges or the wrong tow method.
If there is an immediate danger, collision, fire, or medical issue, call emergency services first. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Confirm it is truly out of charge and not a settings issue
Before calling, take 60 seconds to check whether the car is actually at a critically low state of charge or if another issue is preventing it from driving.
Check the battery percentage and remaining range estimate, look for warning messages, and confirm the vehicle is in Drive mode and not restricted by a setting such as valet mode. If available, check whether the car is limiting power to protect the battery. If the vehicle will not move, do not keep trying to accelerate, repeated attempts can trigger additional warnings and complicate the incident report.
Now open your rental agreement in your email or app and find the roadside assistance number, not the branch number. The right helpline will have authority to dispatch assistance and approve charges.
Step 3: Who to call, and in what order
For car hire EV breakdowns in California, the best order is:
1) Your rental provider roadside assistance: This is the main contact for dispatch and billing control. Explain clearly that the vehicle is an EV with a depleted battery and you need EV-appropriate recovery.
2) If you are in a hazardous location and cannot wait safely: call highway patrol or local police non-emergency where appropriate, or emergency services if danger is immediate.
3) Only if your rental provider instructs you to: contact a local tow partner or charging service. Ask for written confirmation by text or email where possible.
When you speak to roadside assistance, share your exact location, nearest cross street, and whether you are on a freeway shoulder, in a car park, or at a charging site. Tell them the vehicle is out of charge and whether it can roll. Mention any dashboard warnings. If you picked up around Los Angeles and are travelling from the airport area, it can help to keep your pickup details handy from pages like car rental California LAX.
Step 4: Request the correct tow, EV recovery is not always standard
This is the biggest cost and damage risk point. Many EVs should be moved on a flatbed truck, or with dollies that keep drive wheels off the ground, depending on drivetrain and manufacturer guidance. A traditional tow with wheels rolling can damage the motor, transmission components, or regenerative braking systems.
Use clear language on the call:
Say: “This is an electric vehicle with a depleted battery. Please dispatch a flatbed tow, or dollies if required. I do not authorise a standard wheel-lift tow with drive wheels on the ground.”
Also ask the dispatcher to note the instruction in the job. If a tow operator arrives with the wrong equipment, do not let them tow the car incorrectly. Call roadside assistance again and report that the dispatched method is not EV-appropriate. Waiting longer is frustrating, but it is usually cheaper than paying for avoidable damage.
If you are driving a larger group vehicle, the recovery logistics can differ. Keep a reference to your vehicle category, for instance if you arranged something like van rental California LAX, because passenger capacity and luggage affect whether you need a second vehicle or taxi reimbursements.
Step 5: Understand what services may be offered on-site
In some Californian metro areas, a provider might offer a mobile charging top-up that gives enough charge to reach the nearest public charger. In practice, availability varies and it may not be included in your rental plan. Even when offered, it can take time and may not work if you are too far from service coverage.
Ask roadside assistance what is being sent:
Mobile charging: A technician provides a short boost. Useful if you are close to a charger.
Tow to nearest compatible charger: Often the fastest path back on the road. Confirm they will tow to a charger that is open to your vehicle and has the connector type you need.
Tow to branch or authorised service site: Likely if the car is immobilised for another reason, or if it needs inspection before it can be rented again.
If you are near Sacramento on a longer route, knowing the local context can help when explaining where you are headed, especially if your trip started from car hire airport Sacramento SMF or car hire Sacramento SMF.
Step 6: What fees can apply when an EV runs out of charge
Fees vary by rental brand, protection products selected, time of day, and location. Still, the costs usually fall into a few predictable categories. Knowing them helps you ask better questions on the roadside call and spot inaccuracies later.
1) Towing and recovery: If you need a flatbed tow, the base rate plus mileage can apply. After-hours service can cost more. If the rental plan includes roadside assistance, towing may be covered, but “out of charge” events are sometimes treated differently than mechanical failures, so confirm.
2) Mobile charging service fee: If a technician provides a charge boost, you may be charged for the service, time, and energy delivered. Ask whether it is a fixed fee or variable.
3) Charging costs: Public chargers bill per kWh, per minute, or by session depending on the network and local rules. These are usually your responsibility during the rental period, just like petrol in a petrol car.
4) Administrative or service fees: Some providers charge an admin fee for arranging a tow, dispatching roadside help, or processing third-party invoices.
5) Downtime or loss-of-use (less common, but important): If the vehicle becomes unavailable due to misuse, a provider may claim loss-of-use. An honest “ran out of charge” incident usually does not lead to this, but negligence, ignoring repeated warnings, or unauthorised towing might.
6) Damage charges if the wrong tow is used: This is where insisting on EV-appropriate recovery matters. If you authorise an incorrect tow or move the vehicle unsafely, you may face repair costs that exceed the tow fee.
While discussing fees, keep the conversation factual. Ask the agent to confirm, in writing if possible, what is covered and what is chargeable. If you rented through a specific brand page, it can help to reference that supplier context, for example National car rental Los Angeles LAX, because roadside processes differ between suppliers.
Step 7: Document everything for the final bill, a simple evidence checklist
Documentation is your best protection if you later dispute charges or need to show you followed instructions. Create a short record while you wait.
Photos to take: the dashboard showing battery percentage and warnings, the infotainment screen if it shows navigation to chargers, your location (street signs, mile markers), and the vehicle exterior showing no new damage. Also photograph the tow truck when it arrives, including company name and vehicle registration if visible.
Notes to write: time you stopped, time you called, name or ID of the agent, incident or case number, what tow method was approved (flatbed), and where the car is being taken.
Paperwork to collect: tow slip, any authorisation forms, and receipts for taxis or alternative transport if you were told these might be reimbursable. If you paid anything at the roadside, ask for an itemised receipt.
Keep messages: Save texts or emails from roadside assistance confirming dispatch and instructions. If you must communicate through an app, screenshot key screens.
Step 8: Avoid common mistakes that increase cost and stress
Do not abandon the vehicle: Leaving keys inside or walking away can create security and liability problems. If you must leave for safety, tell roadside assistance and ask for next steps.
Do not accept the first tow if it is wrong: A fast, incorrect tow can become an expensive damage claim. It is better to wait for a flatbed.
Do not ignore “low battery” earlier in the day: Some providers may treat repeated warnings and continued driving as avoidable. If you see low charge warnings, plan a charge stop sooner, not later.
Do not assume every charger works: Chargers can be occupied, offline, or require an app. Build buffer into your plan, especially on weekends and holiday routes.
Step 9: How to reduce the chance of running out of charge next time
You cannot control every variable, but you can reduce risk with a few habits that suit California driving conditions.
Start with realistic range: The range estimate drops with high speeds, hills, heat or cold, and heavy loads. If your trip includes long freeway stretches, treat the estimate as optimistic and plan to charge earlier.
Choose charging stops with options: Prefer locations with multiple chargers rather than a single unit. Have a backup charger nearby before you commit to a low battery stretch.
Arrive with a buffer: Aim to reach chargers with at least 10 to 20 percent remaining where possible. This buffer gives you flexibility if a station is full or offline.
Know your connector and access method: Confirm whether the car uses CCS, NACS, or another standard, and whether an adaptor is provided. Also confirm whether the car has accounts or cards for common charging networks, or whether you need to use your own phone and payment method.
Factor in queue time: In busy areas, you may wait. If you are travelling with family or a tight schedule, that time matters as much as distance.
FAQ
Who should I call first if my California rental EV runs out of charge? Call your rental provider’s roadside assistance number shown on your agreement or app. They can dispatch EV-appropriate recovery and control billing, which reduces surprises later.
Do I need a flatbed tow for an EV with zero charge? Often yes. Many EVs should be transported on a flatbed, or with dollies, to avoid drivetrain damage. Ask roadside assistance to dispatch EV-appropriate towing and note it on the job.
Will I be charged if I simply ran out of charge? Potentially. You may pay for towing, mobile charging, admin fees, and your own public charging costs. Coverage depends on the supplier and any roadside products included with your car hire.
What evidence should I collect for the final bill? Photograph the dashboard battery level and warnings, record times and the case number, and keep tow paperwork and receipts. Screenshots of written instructions from roadside assistance are especially useful.
Can I arrange my own tow to save time? Only do so if roadside assistance explicitly authorises it and confirms the tow method in writing. Unauthorised towing can lead to denied reimbursement, extra fees, or damage liability.
