A Tesla driver has revealed how a series of unfortunate events left her stranded on the side of the road.
The Model 3 driver became trapped when the EV tag (a blue triangular badge) fell off her license plate and punctured her right rear tire.
The label serves as a safety measure for emergency personnel in the event of an accident, ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to avoid potential hazards due to the car’s large battery.
However, the driver not only suffered a flat tire due to her vehicle’s EV label, but also had to call a tow truck because Tesla vehicles are not equipped with a spare tire.
“What are the odds? I’m voting for circular license plates for electric vehicles,” he wrote on social media.
The driver explained that it was the second time she had needed to tow her electric vehicle due to a flat tire.
“Last time I had to buy two new rear tyres and arrange overnight accommodation as they couldn’t match the originals unless I wanted to wait three days in Bairnsdale on a return trip from Melbourne. It was an expensive exercise,” he wrote.
Many Australians criticised Tesla for not providing a spare wheel with all of its models.
“It’s crazy that they have to tow them because they don’t have a spare tire. I know most modern cars do this, but it’s actually crazy,” said one.
A Tesla driver had to have her Model 3 towed after the “EV” badge fell off her license plate and punctured her tire and she had no spare tire.
“They should provide a spare wheel for such cases. That way, you can change the wheel and continue on your way.”
Other social media users explained that Tesla provided a roadside assistance service that helped them when they suffered a flat tire.
“I recently had a flat tire, the car immediately recognized it and contacted Tesla support,” said one.
“They sent a tow truck with a spare tire. It took about 40 minutes to get there and get it going.”
Most electric vehicles do not come with spare wheels due to the additional weight they add to the vehicle and the amount of space the tire takes up.
“The reason is that it’s difficult to get enough clearance over the brake to fit a spare wheel. These big, massive spare wheels are also very heavy, and extra weight costs money in an electric vehicle,” explained Tom Baker, editor of ChasingCars.com.au.
‘For people living in metropolitan areas, with easy access to roadside assistance and spare tires, this isn’t necessarily a major issue.
Mr. Baker suggested that one solution is to purchase a spare tire through your electric vehicle dealer.
“This set can be placed in the trunk of the vehicle, but it takes up a lot of space and can be very dangerous if it is not properly secured,” he explained.