Jerr-Dan released a heavy-duty wrecker equipped with a tri-stage recovery boom designed for higher control during operations involving vehicles that significantly outweigh their gas-powered equivalents, with updated hydraulic lift systems rated for electric SUVs like the GMC Hummer EV at 9,400 pounds and the Rivian R1T at over 7,000 pounds, according to Tow Professional. Separately, NRC Industries announced a new QuickSwap configuration with an integrated boom that adds only 1,500 pounds to the detachable unit while maintaining 90,000-pound towing capacity and 60,000-pound lifting capacity, with delivery expected in 2026. Every EV manufacturer emergency response guide specifies flatbed-only transport to avoid regenerative braking and drivetrain damage. Operators running standard-duty flatbeds with 10,000-pound GVWR ratings risk exceeding legal weight limits when loading the heaviest EVs, creating exposure to DOT violations and voided insurance coverage.
Operator takeaway
Pull the GVWR plate on every flatbed in your fleet and compare it to the curb weight of the five heaviest EVs now on the road. If the math does not work, the equipment manufacturers have already built the solution. The question is whether you upgrade before the call comes or after the DOT citation does.