Ship Electric Cars Without a Charging Stop

Weight is what changes for an EV

Electric vehicle shipping moves EVs and plug-in hybrids on car carriers, with the battery's weight, the charge level and the car's loading mode planned before pickup. Auto Transport Pros covers EV and Tesla shipping in all 50 states, including compact EVs and electric pickups.

Battery packs make EVs heavy for their size. A Tesla Model Y weighs about 4,000 pounds or more, an F-150 Lightning more than 6,000 and a Hummer EV over 9,000. Car carriers are limited by weight as much as by space, so a heavy EV can take the capacity of more than one car and may need a particular spot on the trailer. Give us the exact model and trim when you call.

Loading is the other difference. Many EVs shouldn't roll far with the drive system off, so they load under their own power or in a tow or transport mode that frees the wheels for the winch. Tesla's manuals say to switch the car into its transport or tow mode before winching, and to use dollies or tire skates when that mode isn't available. Know how to turn your car's mode on, or leave the steps with the car.

Keys work differently too. A phone key leaves with you, so the driver needs a key card or fob that opens, starts and shifts the car without your phone. Try it before pickup day.

Most of how to prepare your car for shipping applies to an EV too; the charge level and the key card are the extras.

How much charge to leave in the battery

Leave the battery partly charged: enough to drive on and off the trailer and keep the car awake for the trip, but not full. Carriers often ask for somewhere around a third to half. A full pack adds nothing, and a nearly empty one risks a car that can't move at delivery. Turn off scheduled charging, and camera or sentry features that drain the pack while the car sits on the deck.

When the 12-volt battery goes flat

An EV still has a 12-volt battery that runs the locks, the screen and the shifter. If it goes flat, the doors may not open and the car may not come out of park, even with a full main pack. If the car has been parked for weeks, tell us, because a weak 12-volt battery can leave it stuck at the bottom of the ramp.

Low front ends and enclosed trailers

The pack runs under the floor, and some performance EVs sit low at the nose. A lift gate on an enclosed trailer raises the car level instead of tipping it up a ramp, which suits a low-slung performance model. Enclosed auto transport covers the trailer itself.

Before the EV is picked up

• Charge set partly full, with scheduled charging turned off
• A key card or fob the driver can use without your phone
• Tow or transport mode steps left with the car
• Charging cables and adapters taken out of the trunk

Electric vehicle shipping questions