What happens when an electric car runs out of charge?

Electric cars have developed at such an alarming pace that the term 'range anxiety' feels like a bit of a misnomer in 2024.

Modern electric cars will most likely cover your daily commute and errands – and most people making the switch to an EV will take their weekly mileage into account before buying an EV.

But if range is no longer an issue for buyers, what's holding them back? The real issue facing electric car lovers is charging.

While the range of EVs has improved, the number of electric charging points simply hasn't kept up with demand, meaning that some owners have had to queue to use a device, or been disappointed when they find the device is no longer working.

It's normal then for an EV driver to worry about running out of charge when driving an electric car. If the owners of combustion cars were in the same position, they would likely worry too.

Running out of charge in an electric car isn't actually that dramatic. And forgive us for stating the obvious... the car no longer works. 

As you would expect, it's very similar to running out of fuel in a combustion-powered car – but if you were to run out, there are some differences that are worth knowing about.

Here, we'll look at how different electric cars behave when they reach 0% charge and answer all of the important questions you might have. For example, can you tow an EV if you have run out of charge in an unsafe place? And how can you squeeze some extra miles from your car to avoid running out of charge?

How an EV stops you from running out of charge

These days, an EV will do its best to warn you of any impending peril - just like an ICE car will - with a number of alerts popping up on the drivers display stating that battery level is low and that it's time to recharge. 

Typically, the first warning will come in the form of a “Battery Level Low” message on the digital instrument cluster informing you of your limited mileage. As you will have guessed, you'll probably want to find a charger and top up at this point. 

Electric cars have the capability of seeking out the charging points that are nearby and will re-route you to the device of your choosing. 

Once the battery level gets below a certain level, a “Limited Performance” warning will come up on the dashboard, reducing the power of the car dramatically.

Rather humorously, manufacturers have fitted most electric cars with tortoise symbols to indicate a lack of performance. Wasteful systems such as the air conditioning will also shut off here to allow for more energy to be sent to the motor. 

They're not all the same...

It’s worth noting at this point that after all the warnings and reduction in power, no two electric cars will run out of battery in the same way. 

Some will slow down to a halt with plenty of warning, while others – like the Fiat 500e – will come to a more abrupt halt and can be harder to manoeuvre once the battery is flat. 

Once an electric car hits 0% battery, some will keep going a few more miles before coming to a halt. 

Take the Kia EV6, for example. When we drove one at a dedicated test track to see what happened when it ran out of charge, it carried on at speeds of up to 60 mph, even when the display indicated 0% battery. 

When it finally gave in, the EV6 slowly brought itself to a stop. The power steering also stopped working, which made it harder to manoeuvre it on to a truck. 

Not all electric cars will keep the power on for digital displays and power steering, which means you’ll have to be towed to a charging point. Some electric cars – like the Porsche Taycan  – will keep these functions going, and might even have enough power to crawl onto a recovery truck. 

Can you tow an electric car?

Rather frustratingly, you can’t tow an EV, but it’s not all doom and gloom. 

You see, electric cars don’t have a gearbox which means there is no neutral gear, so if you need to drag them along they have to be in forward or reverse, which can damage both the electric motor and battery. Not ideal.

In the event of a breakdown, the best way for an EV to be moved is by using a flatbed truck. However, all is not lost on the towing front.

Front-wheel-drive electric cars (like the Nissan Leaf) can be towed with the front wheels raised, while rear-wheel-drive EVs (such as the Cupra Born) can be towed with the rear wheels raised. 

Some electric cars are equipped with clever towing modes, which disengage the handbrake to make it easier to haul on to a flatbed.

How to avoid running out of charge?

The main takeaway here is that electric cars give you ample warnings that battery level is low, providing you enough opportunity to take avoiding action. 

Skip to the next slide for some tips on how to prevent the worst from happening...

Plan your journey

When travelling a long distance it's best to plan ahead and pinpoint a number of places where you might be able to charge your car. 

If you’re planning a longer journey with limited charging opportunities, use eco mode if you can, and use the maximum level of regenerative braking if you have the option.

There are a number of apps available that display the location of EV charging points, which can help to plan a longer journey and should help you avoid being stranded by the side of the road with a dead battery. 

Switching systems off

You can extend the life of the battery by turning off the radio and heater, although these will only squeeze out one or two extra miles. If you can feel the onset of range anxiety, it is best to stop and charge.

Reducing weight

Of course, this doesn't mean leaving your partner or children by the side of the road in order to reach your destination, but getting rid of any unnecessary weight can have a positive impact on the range of your EV. 

What to do if you run out of battery

In the event you do run out of charge, contact your recovery provider. Some now have small battery charging units in their service trucks that can give you a boost to get going again. 

If that isn’t an option, you may have to request a flatbed truck to collect your vehicle.