Why is the electric car motor not turning and hard to push?
4 Answers
There are several reasons why an electric car motor may not turn and be difficult to push: Controller damage: The controller (three-phase AC inverter) may suddenly break down due to overheating, causing a short circuit between the output three-phase power supply components (at least between two phases). When pushing the vehicle, the motor operates in a short-circuit power generation state (working in energy-consuming braking mode), making it very difficult to push. Solution: Disconnect the controller's wiring to the motor to free the motor from the controller's short circuit, allowing the motor to operate in a no-load power generation state when pushed, making pushing easier. Internal motor short circuit: This may be caused by a sudden inter-turn short circuit inside the motor. In this case, even cutting the wiring at the motor terminals won't help, and pushing resistance will remain very high. The only solution is to tow the vehicle to a repair shop for motor servicing. (This situation is relatively rare)
I recently encountered a similar issue with the electric car I was driving—the motor suddenly stopped working and it was impossible to push. After inspection, I found the battery was completely drained. The electric vehicle's energy management system automatically locks the wheels to prevent sliding when the battery is low, so even trying to push it was extremely difficult. I think this is quite common, especially in winter when battery performance declines faster. I recommend paying attention to charging habits and not letting the battery level drop below 20%, as it can easily trigger the protection mode. That incident delayed my trip by half a day. Fortunately, I called the 4S store, and they used professional tools to unlock and charge it. Now, I've developed the habit of charging every night to avoid similar troubles.
If the electric car motor doesn't turn and can't be pushed, the cause is likely internal. A friend's electric car once had a locked motor due to prolonged high-load operation causing bearing overheating and seizure. Listen for abnormal noises or heat during operation; if pushing is difficult, transmission components might be damaged. Avoid forcing it to prevent further damage; have a repair shop check for burnt motor coils or jammed gears. Avoid overloading or sudden acceleration in daily driving to effectively extend motor life.
Upon detecting a motor failure that prevents pushing, prioritize safety. I always pull over to the roadside and activate hazard lights as a warning—never force-push the car to avoid injury. The issue could stem from a depleted battery or a short circuit triggering the brake lock. Immediately check simple points like whether the remote key or switches malfunction. If unresolved, contact roadside assistance rather than taking risks. Putting safety first to prevent accidents is the essence of responsible driving.
