A flat tire is a different problem on many electric cars because a lot of them do not carry a spare. To save weight and space, manufacturers often supply a sealant and inflator kit instead, or nothing at all. That kit works for small tread punctures but not for sidewall damage, large cuts or a tire that has come off the bead. Knowing what you are working with is the first step.
Our flat tire service covers spare installation, temporary repairs where they are appropriate, and arranging transport to a tire shop when the tire cannot be safely fixed at the roadside.
- 01
Describe the tire and the car
Tell dispatch which tire, what the damage looks like and whether you have a spare or sealant kit.
- 02
We bring the right kit
Lifting equipment suitable for heavy EVs, plug kits, inflators and wheel lock tools where available.
- 03
Fix, swap or tow
We install the spare, plug a repairable tread puncture as a temporary measure, or arrange a flatbed to a tire shop.
Why EV tire changes need the right equipment
EVs are heavy. A battery pack adds substantial weight, and many EVs have specific lift points to avoid damaging the battery enclosure under the floor. Lifting from the wrong place can crack a battery case or a sill cover. We use the jacking points listed in your owner's manual and lifting equipment rated for the vehicle's weight.
EV tires are also frequently specialized: some include foam inserts to reduce road noise, some are load-rated for heavier vehicles, and some are self-sealing designs. A plug that works on a basic tire may not be appropriate on a tire with an acoustic foam liner. We will tell you what is and is not a sensible roadside repair for your tire.
What we can and cannot repair at the roadside
| Situation | Typical roadside outcome |
|---|---|
| Nail or screw in the main tread | Temporary plug may be possible; follow up at a tire shop |
| Slow leak with spare available | Install spare, advise on repair |
| Sidewall cut or bulge | Not repairable; spare or tow |
| Tire off the rim or shredded | Spare if available, otherwise tow |
| No spare and non-repairable damage | Flatbed to a tire shop |
| Locking wheel nut with no key | Depends on equipment; call to discuss |
A roadside plug is a temporary measure. Tire makers and repair standards generally call for a proper inspection and internal patch from a tire shop, and some tires should not be repaired at all. We will be clear about which category you are in.
If you only have a sealant kit
Sealant kits can be useful for a small puncture, but they can also make a later repair harder and may affect tire pressure sensors. If you have already used one, tell dispatch. If you have not, and the damage is more than a small tread hole, it is usually better to wait for us than to try it, especially on a busy road shoulder.
Staying safe with a flat
Driving on a flat destroys the tire and can damage the wheel and suspension. If it is safe, pull completely off the road, turn on hazards and stay clear of traffic. On a highway with no safe shoulder, call 911. Do not attempt to change a tire on the traffic side of a car on a live road. We position our vehicle to protect the work area where possible, but no roadside location is risk-free.
Getting to a tire shop
If the tire cannot be fixed or replaced on the spot, we arrange a flatbed tow through our towing partners to the tire shop you choose, or a nearby one if you do not have a preference. Shops keep their own hours, so at night the car may need to go to a secure location until the shop opens.
Tire pressure monitoring and EV tires
Most EVs warn you through the tire pressure monitoring system before a slow leak becomes a flat. Take those warnings seriously, especially on heavy vehicles where an underinflated tire heats up quickly. Check pressures cold using the figure on the door-jamb placard, not the maximum printed on the sidewall. Cold weather lowers pressure, so a warning on a frosty morning may be temperature rather than a puncture, but it still needs correcting. When you replace tires, ask the shop about load rating and whether the original fitment included acoustic foam or sealant layers, because those affect future repairs.
A tire change costs $130. This is the change service, not the purchase of a replacement tire. Ask dispatch separately about repair work if there is no usable spare. Towing costs $150 plus $10 per mile; tires themselves are purchased from the tire shop.
For reference, our standard EV charging and jump-start prices are $175, $140, and $195 for both together.
Full pricing