Shipping an Electric Vehicle (EV): What's Different?
Shipping an electric vehicle requires special care for the battery, weight, and charging needs. Here's everything EV owners need to know before booking auto transport.
What Makes EV Shipping Different
Electric vehicles share the same general shipping process as gas-powered cars, but three key differences require attention:
- Battery weight: EVs are significantly heavier than comparable gas vehicles due to battery packs. A Tesla Model Y weighs about 4,400 lbs; a comparable gas SUV averages 3,800 lbs.
- Charging state: Batteries shouldn't be transported fully charged (fire risk in extreme heat) or fully depleted (risks deep discharge damage).
- Handling requirements: EVs need carriers experienced with regenerative braking, tow modes, and low-clearance loading procedures.
At Web Auto Transport, we flag EV shipments during carrier matching so your vehicle goes to a driver experienced with electric vehicles.
How to Prepare Your EV for Shipping
- Charge to 30-50%. This is the optimal state for transport, not too low to risk deep discharge, not too high for extreme temperature exposure.
- Enable transport mode if your vehicle has one (Tesla, Rivian, Lucid). This disables self-driving sensors, parking sensors, and active features that could interfere with loading.
- Remove the charging cable from the charge port and secure it inside the vehicle or store it separately.
- Fold mirrors in and disable auto-present door handles if applicable (Model S, X).
- Disable sentry mode (Tesla), it drains the battery during transit.
Open vs. Enclosed for EVs
Open transport is safe for most EVs, including Teslas, Nissan Leafs, and Chevy Bolts. The vast majority of EV shipments use open transport without issue.
Enclosed transport is recommended for:
- High-value EVs (Tesla Model S Plaid, Lucid Air, Rivian R1S)
- Any EV with modified suspension or lowered ride height
- Extreme weather routes (desert summer heat, harsh winter corridors)
Popular EVs We Ship
| Make / Model | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3, Y | Most-shipped EV. Transport mode available. |
| Tesla Model S, X | Low clearance, liftgate loading recommended |
| Rivian R1T, R1S | Heavy. Carrier weight planning required. |
| Lucid Air | Luxury EV. Enclosed recommended. |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | Standard handling. Open transport fine. |
| BMW i4, iX | Open or enclosed. Standard EV prep. |
| Chevrolet Bolt EV/EUV | Open transport standard. |
| Nissan Ariya, Leaf | Standard prep. Open transport fine. |
Q&A
Q: Will my EV lose charge during shipping?
A small amount of passive battery drain is normal (Sentry mode, climate systems). Shipping at 30-50% ensures you'll have charge at delivery. Most EVs arrive with 25–45% remaining.
Q: Do carriers charge EVs during transit?
No. Carriers don't plug in or charge your vehicle during transport. That's why pre-shipping charge level matters.
Q: Is a dead EV harder to ship?
Yes. An EV with a depleted battery that won't roll, steer, or brake is treated as inoperable and requires winch or liftgate loading. Let us know at booking if the battery is critically low.
Q: Does EV shipping cost more?
Slightly, in some cases. EV weight affects trailer load planning, and enclosed carriers (common for premium EVs) cost more than open. However, standard EV models on open transport are priced comparably to equivalent gas vehicles.
Q: Can I ship my EV cross-country?
Absolutely! Cross-country EV transport is one of our most frequent shipment types.
Shipping a Tesla or EV? Tell us the model when you request your quote at webautotransport.com, call (760) 932-2886 / (760) WEB-AUTO, or use LiveChat. USDOT# 4574725 | FMCSA Licensed and Bonded. Email: info@webautotransport.com