The German Association of the Automotive Industry has developed cross-industry guidelines for the safe and standards-compliant handling of damaged electric vehicles. These guidelines contain practical recommendations for towing, recovering, and transporting wrecked electric vehicles (BEVs, hybrid vehicles, and mild hybrids).

"Given the growing number of electric vehicles on German roads, the professional handling of accident scenarios and vehicle recovery is becoming increasingly important," emphasizes VDA Managing Director Dr. Marcus Bollig. The new recommendation combines expertise from numerous industries and creates a safe, legally sound, and practical standard—for example, for dealing with electric vehicles in the event of a fire or after flooding. It also addresses existing uncertainties, particularly for towing services, which are now regularly confronted with damaged electric vehicles.

"With this guideline, we aim to create a shared understanding for all involved parties, from towing services to emergency responders, regarding the safe handling of damaged electric vehicles. The broad participation of various organizations demonstrates the significant need for uniform standards," Dr. Bollig continued. The published guideline covers both technical and organizational aspects—from assessing the hazard situation and towing conditions to the safe temporary storage of damaged electric vehicles. It effectively complements existing legal requirements, standards, and manufacturer instructions, presenting them in a clear and concise manner.

The recommendation serves as an industry-wide reference framework for towing services, security authorities and specialist workshops and is freely available to all stakeholders.

The following organizations and associations were closely involved in developing the non-binding recommendation for action (listed alphabetically):

• ADAC – Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club e.V.
• AZT – Allianz Zentrum für Technik
• BG Verkehr – Berufsgenossenschaft Verkehrswirtschaft Post-Logistik Telekommunikation
• BVSK – Bundesverband der freiberuflichen und unabhängigen Sachverständigen für das Kraftfahrzeugwesen e.V.
• DGUV – Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung e.V.
• GDV – Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft e.V.
• ISA – Interessengemeinschaft der ADAC Mobilitätspartner e.V.
• KTI – Kraftfahrzeugtechnisches Institut und Karosseriewerkstätte
• Landesfeuerwehrschule Baden-Württemberg
• Staatliche Feuerwehrschule Regensburg
• VBA – Verband der Bergungs- und Abschleppunternehmen e.V.
• VDA – Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V.
• VDIK – Verband der Internationalen Kraftfahrzeughersteller e.V.
• vfdb – Vereinigung zur Förderung des Deutschen Brandschutzes e.V.
• ZDK – Zentralverband Deutsches Kraftfahrzeuggewerbe e. V.
• ZKF – Zentralverband Karosserie- und Fahrzeugtechnik e.V.
• ZVEI – Verband der Elektro- und Digitalindustrie e.V.
• ZVK – Zentralverband des Kraftfahrzeughandwerks