What to do if your electric car suddenly breaks down

Concerns around electric vehicle safety have grown after a fatal crash involving a stalled electric taxi in Indonesia.

The incident raised fresh questions about how drivers should respond if an EV suddenly shuts down.

Experts say the situation can become dangerous quickly, especially if the vehicle locks its wheels or loses power in traffic.

Stay calm

According to Tempo.co, experts say drivers should first try to move the vehicle to a safer location if possible. Even without power, the car may still be steerable.

The steering can become heavier once electronic assistance shuts off. However, the vehicle can still be guided carefully toward the roadside.

Drivers are also advised to place a warning triangle immediately. This helps alert approaching traffic.

Emergency steps

Kharisma Bani Adam from Telkom University said some EVs can temporarily recover power through the 12V battery system.

“This effort is intended to reactivate the electronic systems and dashboard display,” he explained. That may allow the parking brake to be released.

Some electric cars also include an Emergency Release feature. This can manually unlock the wheels during emergencies.

What not to do

Experts strongly warn against touching high-voltage components. EV cables are usually marked with bright orange coverings.

Drivers should also avoid forcing the car to move if the wheels remain locked. Doing so could damage the inverter or transmission system.

Improper towing is another major risk. Specialists say electric vehicles should ideally be transported using flatbed trucks.

Different from fuel cars

Sriyono, an automotive engineering lecturer at Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, said EVs require different handling compared to petrol vehicles.

“The handling method differs significantly from fuel vehicles with manual transmissions,” he said.

Dragging or rope-towing an EV can damage critical systems. This includes the electric motor, battery systems and parking mechanisms.

Growing concern

As EV adoption increases, experts say emergency awareness is becoming more important. Many drivers may still be unfamiliar with breakdown procedures.

Manufacturers are also under pressure to improve emergency systems. Features that allow easier wheel release could become more common.

For now, specialists say safety comes first. In highly dangerous situations, abandoning the vehicle may be the safest option.

Sources: Tempo.co

This article is made and published by Mikkel Christensen, who may have used AI in the preparation