How to Become an EVfriendly
Tow Operator

A Program Developed by the Automotive Retailers Association and its Strategic Partners

Becoming an EVfriendly Tower assures your customers that you and your employees are trained and qualified to tow and store EVs in a responsible and safe manner.

Best Practices

The following slide presentation details best practices to deploy as an EVfriendly Tow Operator.

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Tow Operator
Best Practices

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What is

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Today, with the rapidly increasing number of hybrids, plugin hybrids, and all-electric vehicles being purchased by consumers, it is only a matter of time before owners of these vehicles find themselves in need of towing services, if they have not already done so.

What is

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The number one concern is safety. Battery voltage is invisible, and towers must be trained in the safety protocols to protect themselves and the vehicle from a catastrophic failure.

What is

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Without the proper training, towers or lot staff can inadvertently damage the vehicle’s electrical systems and risk injury, or even death from electrocution.

That is a liability you want to avoid at all costs.

What is

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Besides, consumers want to be confident that the people caring for their vehicles are competent and qualified.

That means investing in the training and equipment necessary to provide proper and safe repairs.

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Training

Online training is available on the ARA Training Centre of Excellence website.

The courses are for tow operators, or anyone who handles or transports EVs.

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Training

The EVfriendly Tow Operator course covers:

Water recoveries

Temporary EV storage

EV overview

Understanding EVs

High-voltage batteries and components

Conducting visual checks

Approaching the scene

EV recoveries

Loading and transport

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Training

Only staff with proper training should provide services related to EVs. EVfriendly provides online training for
operators. We recommend at least six months of experience.

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Tow Operator Best Practices

In addition to fulfilling employee-training, EVfriendly suppliers maintain business best practices within a number of standards.

Standard

Best Practice

General facility

The towing business has a business license or land use agreement. Where the vehicle is being towed to a storage facility, the tower must be a full-time business with a permanent structure at a fixed location zoned for storage and open during regular business hours.

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Tow Operator Best Practices

Standard

Best Practice

Insurance

The mechanical repair facility has a minimum level of $2 million in liability insurance consistent with industry standards. $5 million liability recommended for larger storage lots.

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Tow Operator Best Practices

Standard

Best Practice

Compliance

The towing business meets all federal, provincial and municipal Acts and regulations (includes CVSE, National Safety Code regulations).

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Tow Operator Best Practices

Standard

Best Practice

Equipment

Proper PPE is used for roadside assistance and towing and recovery. Uses other necessary operational and safety equipment (e.g. class D fire extinguisher) as well as recommended equipment options. Equipment requirements include conducting a risk assessment of the scene to determine what equipment is required.

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Tow Operator Best Practices

Standard

Best Practice

Safety Standards

Employees adhere to all applicable safety standards as set out in OHS regulations, ARA EV Guidelines and EV training.

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Tow Operator Best Practices

Standard

Best Practice

Environmental OHS Management Plan

Has developed a plan for identifying the risks of handling, transporting, storing, and disposing/recycling of badly damaged electric vehicles and to document the actions required to mitigate these risks.

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Tow Operator Best Practices

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Tow Operator Best Practices

Emergency Response Plan

The towing business complies with all applicable safety standards as set out in OHS regulations, ARA EV Guidelines and EV training, and communicates emergency response and evacuation procedures to all employees.

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Tow Operator Best Practices

Environmental Management

The towing business follows all environmental protocols including maintaining all records of vehicle disposals. Vehicles auctioned to the public should be referred to EVfriendly for more information.

Tow Operator
Best Practices

Thank you. This concludes the presentation.

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EVfriendly training

EVfriendly offers online training for tow operators. It is recommended or all other employees.

These courses are available on the ARA Centre of Excellence.

How to Become an EVfriendly
Tow Operator

A Program Developed by the Automotive Retailers Association and its Strategic Partners

Best Practices

Get Started:

Navigation

EVfriendly training

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How to Become an EVfriendlyTow Operator

A Program Developed by the Automotive Retailers Association and its Strategic Partners

Best Practices

Get Started:

Navigation

EVfriendly training

Related Links:

Brought to you by:

How to Become an EVfriendly
Tow Operator