How to Ship an Electric Vehicle: Special Requirements You Need to Know

Electric vehicles have changed everything about driving. They're also changing the auto transport industry in ways most people don't realize — until they try to ship one for the first time.

Shipping an electric vehicle isn't dramatically different from shipping a gas-powered car. But there are specific requirements around battery charge levels, carrier compatibility, and safety protocols that you need to know before you book. Get these wrong and you could face delays, extra fees, or — in rare cases — damage to your vehicle's battery system.

I've been shipping EVs since the early days when Teslas were a novelty on the transport lot. After more than 20 years in this industry and thousands of successful EV shipments, here's everything you need to know.

Can You Ship an Electric Vehicle?
The Battery Charge Rule: Why It Matters
Open vs Enclosed Transport for EVs
Carrier Compatibility: Not All Trucks Are Created Equal
How to Prepare Your EV for Shipping
EV-Specific Shipping Costs
Common Mistakes EV Owners Make When Shipping
Tesla, Rivian, Chevy Bolt: Brand-Specific Tips
Get Your EV Shipped Safely

Can You Ship an Electric Vehicle?

Yes — absolutely. Electric vehicles are shipped every day across the United States, and the process is largely the same as shipping any other car. The auto transport industry has adapted quickly to handle the growing number of EVs on the road.

That said, EVs come with specific requirements that gas-powered vehicles don't have. The biggest one is battery state of charge. Unlike a gas vehicle where an empty tank is actually preferred for transport, an EV needs to have a very specific charge level — and it matters more than most people think.

The good news? If you prepare correctly, shipping your Tesla, Rivian, Chevy Bolt, or Hyundai Ioniq is smooth, safe, and straightforward. Let me walk you through it.

The Battery Charge Rule: Why It Matters

This is the single most important thing to know about shipping an EV. Before your vehicle is loaded onto a carrier, your battery should be charged to between 40% and 70%.

Why this specific range? Let me explain both ends.

Why Not Fully Charged (100%)?

A fully charged lithium-ion battery generates more heat and carries higher internal voltage stress. During transport — especially on hot summer days when a carrier sits in direct sunlight for hours — a 100% charge can accelerate battery degradation. Most EV manufacturers actually recommend avoiding 100% state of charge for extended periods.

There's also a safety consideration. Lithium-ion batteries at maximum charge have a slightly higher risk of thermal events if the vehicle experiences any impact during loading or transport. Carriers know this, and some will actually refuse to load a vehicle with a full charge.

Why Not Empty (Under 20%)?

The carrier needs to drive your EV on and off the transport truck. Open carriers often require the vehicle to move forward, reverse, and sometimes navigate tight angles during loading. If the battery is too low, the car may not have enough power to complete these maneuvers — or it may enter a reduced-power mode that makes handling difficult.

Additionally, some EVs require a minimum charge level to release the electric parking brake. Too low and the driver can't safely position it on the carrier.

Pro Tip: The 40–70% range is your sweet spot. If you want to be extra safe, aim for exactly 50%. This gives the driver plenty of range to maneuver your vehicle while staying well below the heat-stress threshold of a full charge. Set your charge limit in your vehicle's app the night before pickup.

Open vs Enclosed Transport for EVs

Here's one of the most common questions I get from EV owners: do I need enclosed transport, or is open okay?

The honest answer is — it depends on your specific vehicle and your priorities.

When Open Transport Is Fine

For most EVs — a standard Tesla Model 3, Chevy Bolt, Hyundai Ioniq 5, or similar — open transport is perfectly safe and appropriate. These vehicles are driven in rain, snow, and dust every day. A few days on an open carrier won't harm them. Open transport is also significantly less expensive, typically 40–60% cheaper than enclosed.

When You Should Choose Enclosed

Some EV owners prefer enclosed auto transport for a few specific situations:

High-value EVs: Tesla Model S Plaid, Lucid Air, Rivian R1T, or Porsche Taycan — vehicles worth $80,000+ deserve the extra protection
Winter shipping: Extreme cold affects EV battery range temporarily. Enclosed transport keeps your vehicle in a more temperature-stable environment
Long-distance shipping: Some owners prefer enclosed for cross-country moves simply for the added peace of mind
Just purchased delivery: If you bought a brand-new EV and want it delivered in showroom condition

Enclosed transport adds $500–$1,000 to your shipping cost, depending on distance. For a daily driver EV, it's usually not necessary. For a premium or limited-edition electric vehicle, it's worth the investment.

Carrier Compatibility: Not All Trucks Are Created Equal

This is an insider detail most guides skip over entirely. Standard open carriers — the ones you see on the highway hauling 8–10 cars — are compatible with most EVs. However, there are a few compatibility factors to check.

Ground Clearance

Many EVs, particularly performance models and crossover SUVs, have lower ground clearance than comparable gas vehicles. The battery pack sits under the floor, which can reduce clearance slightly. Most standard car carriers accommodate typical EV ground clearances without issue, but it's worth confirming with your transport company for low-slung performance EVs like the Tesla Model S or Porsche Taycan.

Weight Considerations

EVs are noticeably heavier than their gas-powered equivalents because of the battery pack. A Tesla Model Y weighs about 4,400 pounds — roughly 600–800 pounds heavier than a comparable gas SUV. Carriers have weight limits regulated by the DOT, and a full load of EVs can push those limits.

In practice, this rarely causes problems. But if you're shipping a large, heavy EV like a GMC Hummer EV (which tips the scales at over 9,000 pounds), you'll need to specifically request a carrier equipped to handle it. Always disclose the vehicle's exact weight when booking.

Regenerative Braking

When a carrier driver moves your EV during loading, the regenerative braking system engages differently than on a gas car. Experienced EV transport drivers know to expect this feel difference. At Furious Auto Shipping, we route EV shipments to drivers who have experience handling electric vehicles — this small detail matters for the loading process.

How to Prepare Your EV for Shipping

Preparing your electric vehicle for transport takes about 20–30 minutes and is mostly straightforward. Here's the complete checklist.

1. Set the Correct Charge Level

As mentioned above, charge to 40–70%. Use your vehicle's app or onboard setting to set a charge limit so it stops automatically at the right level.

2. Disable Automatic Updates and Summon Features

For Tesla owners specifically: disable Auto-Updates and any automated features that could activate the vehicle during transport. You don't want your car attempting a software update or responding to proximity sensors while it's sitting on a carrier at 65 mph.

On your Tesla: go to Controls → Software → disable "Schedule Software Update." Also deactivate Sentry Mode — it drains the battery and can be triggered constantly during transport by carrier vibrations.

3. Disable the Alarm System

Standard advice for any vehicle being shipped — but especially important for EVs with motion-triggered security systems. A continuously alarming vehicle on a shared carrier is a serious headache for the driver and other customers. Disable or set your alarm to the lowest sensitivity setting.

4. Disable Scheduled Charging

If your EV is set to charge automatically at certain hours, disable this before pickup. You obviously won't have a charging cable connected during transport, and some vehicles will log errors or attempt to initiate charging sequences unnecessarily.

5. Document the Battery Range and Charge Level

At pickup, take photos or a screenshot of your battery status display. Note the current range and charge percentage. This becomes part of your shipment record and is useful for comparison at delivery, especially if the vehicle sat on an open carrier for several days in cold weather (which can temporarily reduce displayed range).

6. Check Tire Pressure

EVs loaded onto carriers sit stationary for days. While carriers are designed to securely hold vehicles, maintaining proper tire pressure reduces the risk of flat spots on longer shipments. Inflate to the manufacturer's recommended PSI — you'll find it in the driver's door jamb.

7. Remove Charging Cables and Adapters

Don't leave charging cables or adapters in the car. Personal items aren't covered by cargo insurance, and loose cables can shift during transport. Take them with you.

EV-Specific Shipping Costs

Here's the pricing reality. Most standard EVs — Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Chevy Bolt, Nissan Leaf — ship at the same price as comparable gas vehicles. Carriers price based on size and weight, not powertrain type.

Where you might pay more:

Oversized/overweight EVs: The GMC Hummer EV, Ford F-150 Lightning in dual motor configuration, and similar heavy trucks may carry a weight surcharge of $100–$300
Low clearance EVs: If special ramps or loading equipment are needed, some carriers add a $75–$150 fee
Enclosed transport premium: $500–$1,000 more than open, depending on distance

To get an accurate cost for your specific EV, check out our car shipping cost calculator and enter your vehicle details. You'll get an instant estimate that accounts for your vehicle's size.

Common Mistakes EV Owners Make When Shipping

I've seen the same mistakes happen repeatedly, especially from first-time EV shippers. Save yourself the headache by avoiding these.

Forgetting to Set Charge Limits

The most common one. An EV plugged in and set to charge overnight will often reach 100% by morning if you didn't set a limit. Set the limit the day before pickup, not the night of.

Leaving Sentry Mode On (Tesla)

Sentry Mode is Furious when your Tesla is parked normally — but it's a battery drain nightmare during a 7-day transport. Even a fully charged Model 3 can lose 15–20% battery from Sentry Mode alone over a long haul. Turn it off before pickup.

Not Disclosing the Vehicle Weight

If you book a shipment without specifying that your vehicle is an EV (and fails to mention it weighs 5,800 pounds), the carrier may not have the right equipment or weight capacity available. Always disclose the exact make, model, and trim level when booking.

Expecting the Same Timeline as a Gas Car

Generally, EV shipments follow the same car shipping timeline as any other vehicle. But if you have a large or heavy EV that requires a specific carrier type, your pickup window may be slightly longer — 2–4 extra days — because fewer carriers in the network handle oversized loads.

Assuming the Car Will Lose Charge During Transport

This one surprises people. Unless you leave energy-draining features on (like Sentry Mode or climate conditioning), a properly prepared EV loses very little charge during transport. Modern EVs in a parked, disabled state draw almost no power. You'll typically arrive at delivery with nearly the same charge level you had at pickup.

Tesla, Rivian, Chevy Bolt: Brand-Specific Tips

Tesla (Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X)

Tesla is by far the most commonly shipped EV — we handle hundreds every month. Key specifics:

Use the Tesla app to set charge limit to 50% the night before pickup
Disable Sentry Mode: Controls → Safety → Sentry Mode → Off
Disable Scheduled Charging: Charging → Schedule → Off
Enable Transport Mode (if applicable for your model): puts the car in a lower-power state suitable for transport
Tesla's air suspension can be lowered for loading — mention this to your driver if your Model S or X has it

Rivian (R1T, R1S)

Rivian trucks and SUVs are heavy — the R1T weighs around 7,000 pounds. You'll need to specifically request a carrier that can handle this weight. Also:

Disable Camp Mode and all automatic features
The R1T and R1S have excellent ground clearance (14.9 inches), so loading is usually straightforward
Set charge to 50% using the Rivian app before pickup

Chevy Bolt / Bolt EUV

The Bolt is one of the most transport-friendly EVs — standard size, reasonable weight (around 3,500–3,800 lbs), no special requirements beyond the battery charge rule. Set to 50–60% charge and you're good to go.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 / Ioniq 6 / Kia EV6

These Korean EVs have become very popular transport loads. No special requirements beyond standard EV preparation. The Ioniq 5's ultra-fast charging means getting to 50% charge takes about 10–15 minutes on a DC fast charger if you're short on time before pickup.

Ford F-150 Lightning

The Lightning is a full-size pickup truck with an EV powertrain. In the extended-range configuration, it weighs approximately 6,500 pounds. Confirm carrier compatibility when booking. Otherwise, prepare the same as any other EV.

Get Your EV Shipped Safely

Shipping an electric vehicle isn't complicated — it just requires a bit more preparation than shipping a gas car. Follow the battery charge rule, disable your automated features, and work with a carrier that has experience handling EVs.

At Furious Auto Shipping, we've been shipping EVs since the early days of the market. Our team knows the specific requirements for every major EV brand, and we work exclusively with drivers who are trained on EV handling protocols.

Whether you're shipping a Tesla cross-country, relocating your Rivian to a new city, or sending a Chevy Bolt to a family member, we've got the experience to do it right. Use our open auto transport service for standard EVs, or ask about enclosed options for premium vehicles.

Ready to get a quote? Call us at (888) 706-8784 or use our online calculator. Give us your vehicle's make, model, and trim, and we'll take care of the rest. Your EV deserves to arrive in the same condition it left — and with the right preparation, it will.