Direct answer
Identify the exact vehicle and coordinate with its operator before recovery. The reviewed Waymo, Tesla and Zoox documents recommend flatbed, roll-back or trailer transport, but preparation and permitted alternatives differ. This briefing does not replace training, current first-responder guides or the operator’s instructions for the job. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Before dispatch: identify the platform
AV Steward is not an emergency or dispatch service. Qualified recovery crews should obtain the vehicle identity, incident condition, operator contact and receiving location before selecting equipment. Do not treat a rider, a generic EV article or a manufacturer badge as sufficient authority to move the vehicle.
The comparison below summarizes transport selection, not a complete loading procedure. Read the source document in full for its warnings, illustrations and conditions.
Platform-specific transport guidance
| Vehicle / document | Transport summary | Preparation distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Waymo I-PACE, June 2026 [1] | Flatbed or purpose-built trailer recommended; the guide rejects four-wheels-down and front- or rear-suspended towing. | The guide specifies steering, electrical and park-release conditions. |
| Waymo Ojai, June 2026 [2] | Flatbed recommended. Its guide permits specific wheel-lift/dolly configurations, including rear wheels lifted with front wheels on the ground. | Neutral and functioning low-voltage power matter. Do not apply I-PACE instructions to Ojai. |
| Tesla Model Y Robotaxi, version 1.5 [3] | Roll-back recommended; wheel lifts and dollies must keep all four wheels off the ground during transport. | Contact Tesla Support to enable Tow Mode before loading; the guide specifies alternatives when unavailable. |
| Tesla Cybercab, version 1.2 [4] | Roll-back recommended; a wheel-lift truck with self-loading dollies is an alternative. | Use Cybercab-specific loading and securement instructions. |
| Zoox, July 2025 [5] | Flatbed or trailer preferred; the guide warns against wheels-on-ground towing. | Coordinate with Zoox; its procedure specifies wheel skates because the on-site team cannot release the parking brakes. |
Avoid generic EV shortcuts
Tesla’s robotaxi plan treats high-voltage components as potentially energized after a collision. Its limited rolling allowance while loading is not permission to tow the vehicle on its wheels. [3]
Do not substitute a consumer manual’s speed limit, lifting point or tie-down instruction for the robotaxi-specific procedure. A damaged or submerged vehicle may need specialist assessment and a receiving site capable of following the applicable emergency-response guidance.
This briefing deliberately omits a universal loading checklist, battery-disconnection instructions and a single storage-distance rule. Those details depend on the vehicle and incident.
Business questions to resolve before accepting work
AV Steward suggests confirming equipment availability, the operator’s release process, responsibility for scene photos, destination acceptance, incident documentation and payment terms. Record exceptions and stop when the authorized procedure cannot be completed with the available equipment.
EV towing experience is useful evidence of a capability; it is not proof of a robotaxi contract or authorization to touch an operator’s proprietary systems.
Frequently asked questions
Must every robotaxi be transported the same way?
No. Even Waymo’s I-PACE and Ojai guides differ. Use the current guide for the identified platform.
Does Tow Mode make a vehicle safe for ordinary wheels-down towing?
No. In the Tesla robotaxi plan, the loading allowance is limited and separate from transport requirements.
What we don’t know yet
- Each operator’s private tow-partner terms and insurance requirements.
- Current rates and dispatch volumes.
- Whether a specific damaged vehicle can be safely accepted by a particular storage facility.
Sources
- Waymo: I-PACE emergency response guide (June 2026), page 24 · Accessed
- Waymo: Ojai emergency response guide (June 2026), page 25 · Accessed
- Tesla: Model Y Robotaxi interaction plan, version 1.5 · Accessed
- Tesla: Cybercab interaction plan, version 1.2 · Accessed
- Zoox: Emergency response guide (July 2025) · Accessed
- Waymo: current first-responder documents · Accessed
- Tesla: current Robotaxi first-responder documents · Accessed
Related reading
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