Towing an EV after a crash
An electric vehicle should not be moved like a typical car. Many EVs should be flatbed towed with the drive wheels off the ground, because rolling them can damage the motors. The right method depends on the model, and the owner manual usually has a towing section. Tell the tow operator that the car is electric before they arrive.
After a crash, the high voltage battery is the main concern. If you see smoke, smell something unusual, or hear hissing, move away from the car and call emergency services. A damaged battery should be treated carefully, and it is better to have the car inspected than to assume it is fine.
Our towing assistance service helps coordinate a flatbed, and our accident line is answered around the clock. Do not hesitate to call about an EV before it is moved.
Repairing electric and aluminum vehicles
Aluminum behaves differently than steel under repair. It does not spring back, it can work harden, and it needs dedicated tools and procedures to avoid contamination and corrosion. EV repair also includes battery enclosure inspection and, in many cases, calibration of driver assistance systems.
We repair EVs including Tesla, Rivian and Lucid, and we offer aluminum repair and EV collision repair as dedicated services. We follow the manufacturer's repair procedures for each model, and if a job needs something outside what we do, we say so before work begins.
Why Scotch Plains drivers choose the neighboring Garwood shop
Because the people writing your estimate answer to you, not to an insurer. We are independent and bill all insurance companies directly. That matters for EV owners especially, because repair plans can be expensive and a second set of eyes on the plan is worth having.
We are I-CAR Gold Class and AAA Approved Auto Repair. AAA members receive 10 percent off labor, up to $75, when they show their card, and the discount does not combine with other offers. Paint work we do carries a lifetime warranty on paint work only.
Insurance and parts decisions
New Jersey lets you choose a licensed repair shop for your vehicle. Your insurer may suggest a shop and you can try to agree on a price with them, but a suggestion is not a requirement, and nobody can promise blanket payment before the car has been inspected. The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance has consumer information on auto claims.
On an EV, parts availability can affect timing. Some components may take longer to arrive, and we tell you what we know once the car is inspected rather than promising a date we cannot keep. Ask your insurer how rental coverage applies if the repair takes longer than expected. Our rental car assistance page lists what to ask.
You can start with the free estimate form and add photos, or book an appointment. If the car cannot be driven, call the accident line first.
Getting to Garwood from Scotch Plains
Our one location is 74 North Ave, Garwood, NJ 07027. There is no Scotch Plains office, and all work takes place in Garwood.
Scotch Plains drivers can approach using Route 22 and then local connections south toward Garwood, or by using the Garden State Parkway and Route 28, depending on where you begin. We cannot give reliable turn by turn guidance without knowing your starting point, so check a live map for current routing.
If your EV has been in a crash, do not drive it if there is any warning on the dashboard. Call us and we will help coordinate a tow.