Electric vehicles are no longer a niche choice. From the Tesla Model Y to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Rivian R1T, and Chevrolet Bolt, EVs now make up a growing share of personal and fleet vehicles being relocated across the country. Whether you are moving from California to Florida, sending a newly purchased EV from an out-of-state dealer, or sending a car to a college student, shipping an electric vehicle is not the same as shipping a gas-powered car.

EVs carry heavy lithium-ion battery packs, have different ground clearance, and need a few extra steps before they get loaded onto a carrier. The good news is that with the right preparation and the right auto transport company, shipping an EV is just as safe and routine as shipping any other vehicle.

At ABC Auto Shipping, we have been moving cars, motorcycles, and specialty vehicles nationwide for more than two decades. This in-depth guide walks you through everything you need to know about how to ship an electric vehicle safely, from battery prep to choosing between open and enclosed transport, to the documentation you should keep on hand at delivery.

Quick Answer for Anyone in a Hurry

To ship an electric vehicle safely, charge the battery to between 45 percent and 65 percent, disable any auto-lock or sentry features, remove personal items, document the vehicle’s exterior with photos, and book a trusted nationwide carrier like ABC Auto Shipping that has experience handling EVs on either open or enclosed trailers. Most cross-country EV shipments take 7 to 10 days door-to-door.

Why Shipping an Electric Vehicle Is Different from Shipping a Gas Car?

Electric vehicles share most of the basic transport requirements of a regular car, but a few key differences shape how they need to be prepared and loaded.

Heavier Curb Weight

Modern EVs typically weigh 500 to 1,500 pounds more than their gas counterparts because of the battery pack mounted under the floor. A Tesla Model X can weigh over 5,400 pounds, and a Rivian R1T crosses 7,100 pounds. Carriers need to know the exact weight in advance so they can balance the trailer load and stay within Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration weight limits.

Lithium-Ion Battery Safety

Lithium-ion battery packs are stable when handled correctly, but they fall under hazardous materials classification when damaged. A reputable EV transport company follows specific battery state-of-charge guidelines and trains drivers to recognize warning signs.

Lower Ground Clearance

Many EVs sit lower than gas vehicles. The Tesla Model 3, Lucid Air, and Porsche Taycan all have low front splitters that can scrape on standard loading ramps. Carriers that ship EVs regularly use longer angle ramps or top-load positions to avoid damage.

Regenerative Braking and Park Modes

EVs hold themselves in place differently from a manual transmission. Drivers loading an EV need to know how to engage and disengage the parking system safely, especially on models like the Lucid Air or Mercedes EQS where the controls are buried in touchscreen menus.

Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Your EV for Shipping

A smooth pickup starts with a well-prepared vehicle. Follow these steps in order before the carrier arrives.

1. Charge the Battery to the Right Level

The recommended battery state-of-charge for EV shipping is between 45 percent and 65 percent. This range gives the driver enough power to load, reposition, and unload the vehicle multiple times during the trip without leaving the battery too full. A nearly empty battery causes problems if the driver needs to move the car off the trailer at a fuel stop or in case of an emergency. A 100 percent charge can stress the battery cells if the vehicle sits idle on the trailer for several days.

2. Clean the Vehicle Inside and Out

Wash the exterior the day before pickup. A clean car makes it easier to document existing scratches, dings, paint chips, or curb rash on the Bill of Lading. Remove all interior trash, loose change, and personal accessories that could rattle or slide during transit.

3. Take Detailed Photos

Walk around the vehicle and photograph every panel, including the roof, undercarriage if accessible, wheels, and interior. Take close-ups of any existing damage. Include a timestamp by photographing a newspaper or your phone showing the date next to the car. These photos protect you if a dispute ever arises during delivery inspection.

4. Disable Sentry Mode, Dashcams, and Auto-Lock Features

Tesla’s Sentry Mode, Rivian Gear Guard, and similar security systems on Ford, GM, and Hyundai EVs will drain the battery quickly if left on during transit. They can also be triggered by motion on the trailer and cause unnecessary alerts. Turn off all motion-based features through the vehicle’s app or in-car settings before handoff.

5. Remove Toll Tags, Parking Passes, and Aftermarket Antennas

Remove any toll transponders so you are not charged for crossings the carrier passes through. Take off bike racks, ski racks, and roof boxes. These items are not insured during transport and can come loose at highway speeds.

6. Empty the Frunk and Cargo Area

While ABC Auto Shipping allows up to 100 pounds of personal items as a courtesy, we strongly recommend emptying the front trunk and cargo area for EVs. Keeping these spaces empty reduces overall weight, helps with battery range during loading, and prevents items from being damaged or lost during the journey. Personal items are not covered by carrier insurance.

7. Note the Vehicle’s Specific Loading Procedures

Some EVs require a special “transport mode” to be engaged before they can be moved onto a carrier. Tesla calls this Transport Mode, Rivian has a similar feature in its settings menu, and Ford uses Neutral Tow Mode for the F-150 Lightning. Without this mode, the regenerative braking system can lock the wheels and make loading impossible. Look up the procedure in your owner’s manual or share it with your auto transport coordinator in advance.

8. Confirm Tire Pressure and Fluid Levels

Even though EVs do not have engine oil or transmission fluid in the traditional sense, they still use coolant for the battery thermal management system, brake fluid, and washer fluid. Top off these fluids and confirm tire pressure matches the door jamb sticker. Carriers may refuse a vehicle with flat or visibly underinflated tires.

Also Read: 10 Steps to Prepare Your Car for Open Carrier Shipping

Open Transport vs Enclosed Transport for Electric Vehicles

One of the biggest decisions when shipping an EV is choosing between open and enclosed transport. Both options are safe, but they suit different situations.

When Open Transport Works Well?

Open transport is the most common and most affordable method. Your EV travels on a multi-level trailer along with up to nine other vehicles. It is exposed to road dust, light rain, and occasional debris, but every car shipped this way arrives at dealerships across the country every day. Open transport is a strong fit for daily-driver EVs like the Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Tesla Model 3 or Model Y, particularly for routes under 1,500 miles.

ABC Auto Shipping offers nationwide open auto transport with insured carriers, door-to-door pickup, and the largest network of available trucks. Open transport also tends to have shorter wait times because there are more open carriers than enclosed ones on the road at any time.

When Enclosed Transport Is the Better Choice?

Enclosed transport places your EV inside a fully covered trailer, shielded from weather, road debris, and prying eyes. This option is recommended for high-value EVs such as the Porsche Taycan Turbo S, Lucid Air Dream Edition, Tesla Model S Plaid, Audi e-tron GT, Mercedes EQS, and Rivian R1S Launch Edition. Enclosed trailers usually carry fewer vehicles, often with hydraulic lift gates that lower the loading angle to protect low ground clearance.

If your EV is brand new, low-mileage, or sentimental, or if you live in a region known for harsh weather during your shipping window, enclosed transport is worth considering. Our enclosed trucks transport service is designed for exactly this kind of high-care shipment.

Top-Load Positioning for EVs

Inside open carriers, vehicles can be loaded on the top deck or the bottom deck. Top-load positioning keeps your EV away from any drips, road spray, or debris kicked up by other vehicles. Request top-load placement when you book if you want extra protection without paying for a full enclosed trailer. Learn more about our top-load car carrier service.

Also Read: Difference Between Open and Enclosed Car Carriers

Battery Safety During Transit

The lithium-ion pack is the most valuable single component of any EV. Treating it correctly during transport keeps your warranty intact and avoids unnecessary range loss.

Battery Discharge During Shipping

Most EVs lose between 1 percent and 3 percent of charge per day when parked, even with all systems off. A 7-day cross-country shipment can therefore eat up 7 to 20 percent of your starting charge. This is why the 45 to 65 percent starting range matters. It leaves a comfortable buffer at delivery so the vehicle can be driven off the trailer and to the nearest charger without panic.

Temperature Exposure

Lithium-ion cells perform best between 50 degrees Fahrenheit and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. While most short-term temperature exposure during transport is harmless, extreme heat in summer routes through the Southwest or freezing winter routes through the Rockies can stress the pack. Enclosed transport offers some temperature buffering, though it is not climate-controlled. Talk with your auto transport coordinator about timing your shipment around extreme heat waves or blizzards if possible.

What Happens If the Battery Dies in Transit?

If the 12-volt accessory battery dies during transit, doors can sometimes lock with no way to enter the vehicle without a jump. Make sure both the high-voltage and the 12-volt systems are healthy before pickup. Many EV owners do not realize their EV still has a small 12-volt battery that powers the door locks, infotainment, and emergency systems. A weak 12-volt battery is one of the most common avoidable issues on EV shipments.

Documentation You Need for EV Shipping

Shipping an EV across state lines or coast-to-coast involves a few documents that you should have organized before pickup.

Bill of Lading and Inspection Sheet

The Bill of Lading is the contract between you and the carrier. It includes the vehicle’s condition at pickup, any noted damage, the agreed delivery window, and the agreed delivery location. At ABC Auto Shipping, the driver fills out this form at pickup and asks you to sign. You receive one copy at pickup and another at delivery.

Proof of Ownership

Carry your title, registration, or a bill of sale, especially if shipping a dealer-purchased EV. While the carrier does not need to see it for loading, you may need it to claim the vehicle at delivery in some states.

Insurance Information

Confirm in writing what is covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance and what is not. Carrier insurance covers the vehicle itself during transit, not personal belongings inside.

Owner’s Manual and Charging Adapters

Place a copy of the relevant transport-mode instructions in the glove box. Leave the standard mobile charging cable in the frunk only if absolutely needed, but for high-value shipments most owners take the charger with them. Tesla Mobile Connectors and CCS adapters are commonly lost on shipments where they are left loose inside the car.

The Loading and Unloading Process Explained

Understanding what happens on pickup and delivery day makes the experience predictable and stress-free.

At Pickup

The driver arrives within an agreed window, usually 1 to 5 days from your earliest available date. They perform a walk-around inspection, note any existing damage on the Bill of Lading, and ask for your signature. They then need the key to drive the vehicle onto the trailer in transport mode. Most pickups take 30 to 45 minutes from start to finish.

If you live on a narrow residential street or a road with weight limits, the driver may ask you to meet at a nearby Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, or large parking lot within a few miles. This is standard practice for any car shipping company because most carriers are 75 to 80 feet long with low ground clearance.

During Transit

You can reach your coordinator at ABC Auto Shipping at any time for updates. Drivers typically check in at major waypoints. Standard transit times are 1 to 3 days for distances up to 500 miles, 3 to 5 days for 500 to 1,500 miles, and 7 to 10 days for coast-to-coast shipments.

At Delivery

When the carrier arrives at the agreed destination, perform a careful inspection with the driver before signing the final Bill of Lading. Compare the vehicle’s condition to your pickup-day photos. Note any new damage on the Inspection Sheet at the time of delivery. Claims that are not noted at delivery are not honored, so take the inspection seriously even if you are tired or rushed.

Insurance Coverage for Electric Vehicle Shipping

ABC Auto Shipping works with fully bonded and insured carriers. Every shipment is covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance for the value of the vehicle while in transit. Before booking, you can request a copy of the carrier’s insurance certificate to confirm the coverage amount.

For high-value EVs that exceed the carrier’s standard coverage limit, ask whether supplemental coverage is available. Many specialty EV owners also maintain their personal auto insurance during transport for additional protection.

Important points to remember about EV shipping insurance include that pre-existing damage noted on the Bill of Lading is not covered, personal items inside the vehicle are not insured, mechanical or electrical issues that develop during transit but are not caused by the driver are usually not covered, and acts of nature like hail or wildfires may have specific exclusions.

How to Choose a Trustworthy EV Auto Transport Company?

Not every car shipping company has experience with electric vehicles. When evaluating an EV shipping partner, look for the following signals.

Licensing and Bonding

A legitimate auto transport broker or carrier must have a USDOT number and an MC number issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You can verify both on the FMCSA’s public SAFER system. ABC Auto Shipping operates under valid USDOT authority and is fully bonded.

Experience with EV Models

Ask whether the company has shipped your specific make and model before. A coordinator who can speak fluently about Tesla Transport Mode, Rivian Gear Guard, or Ford Neutral Tow Mode without looking it up is a green flag.

Real Customer Reviews

Check independent platforms like Google, Yelp, the Better Business Bureau, and Trustpilot. Look for recent reviews mentioning EV shipments specifically. A consistent pattern of positive feedback about communication, on-time delivery, and damage-free arrival matters more than a small number of five-star reviews.

Transparent Process

A trustworthy partner walks you through pickup, transit, and delivery before you book, gives you a written quote, and does not ask for full payment up front. ABC Auto Shipping uses a small initial deposit per vehicle that goes toward the total transport fee, with the balance due at delivery.

Nationwide Coverage

EV shipping often involves long distances. Choose a broker with a large carrier network so you are not stuck waiting weeks for a truck. Our nationwide network covers all 50 states, including service to and from New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Seattle, Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, and every metro in between.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Shipping an EV

A few avoidable errors cause the majority of EV shipping headaches.

  1. Charging to 100 percent before pickup. This stresses the battery and can drop you into a low state-of-charge at delivery with no buffer.
  2. Leaving Sentry Mode or Gear Guard on. These features drain the battery quickly and trigger false alerts during transport.
  3. Forgetting to disable auto-lock. Some EVs auto-lock after the key fob is out of range. If the carrier needs to reposition the car, this can cause delays.
  4. Skipping pickup-day photos. Without timestamped photos, damage disputes become difficult to resolve.
  5. Filling the cabin with personal items. Adds weight, voids insurance for those items, and can incur surcharges over the 100-pound courtesy allowance.
  6. Not sharing transport-mode instructions. A driver who cannot get the vehicle out of Park wastes 30 minutes troubleshooting on pickup day.
  7. Choosing the cheapest quote without checking credentials. Lowball quotes from unverified brokers are the leading cause of canceled or delayed shipments.

Frequently Asked Questions About EV Shipping

Is it safe to ship an electric vehicle on an open trailer?

Yes, open transport is safe for most electric vehicles. Open carriers move thousands of EVs each week to dealerships and private buyers across the USA. For standard daily-driver EVs the open option is fully insured and reliable. Enclosed transport is recommended only for high-value, low-mileage, or specialty electric vehicles.

How long does it take to ship an electric vehicle across the country?

Coast-to-coast EV shipping typically takes 7 to 10 days door to door once the carrier picks up the vehicle. Shorter routes between 500 and 1,500 miles take 3 to 5 days. Pickup itself happens within a 1 to 5 day window after you book. Expedited and guaranteed-date service is available on request.

What battery charge level should an EV be at before shipping?

The recommended battery state-of-charge for shipping an EV is between 45 percent and 65 percent. This range gives the driver enough power for loading and unloading while avoiding the stress that a full charge places on lithium-ion cells during multi-day transit.

Do I need to drain the battery before shipping my EV?

No. Unlike a gas car, where some shippers recommend a near-empty fuel tank for weight, you should not drain your EV battery. A partial charge of around 50 percent is ideal. A fully drained battery can cause the 12-volt accessory battery to deplete and lock you out of the vehicle at delivery.

Can I ship a Tesla, Rivian, or Ford F-150 Lightning with ABC Auto Shipping?

Yes. ABC Auto Shipping ships all major electric vehicle makes and models, including Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck, Rivian R1T and R1S, Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, Kia EV6 and EV9, Chevrolet Bolt and Blazer EV, Lucid Air, Porsche Taycan, Audi e-tron, BMW iX and i4, Mercedes EQS and EQE, Volkswagen ID.4, and Nissan Leaf and Ariya.

Can I leave the charging cable inside my EV during shipping?

You can leave the mobile charging cable in the frunk or cargo area, but it is not insured. We recommend taking the cable with you for valuable shipments. If you do leave it, place it in the original Tesla, Rivian, or manufacturer carrying case to prevent damage.

What happens if my EV is damaged during transport?

Document any new damage on the Inspection Sheet at the time of delivery before signing. Take photos immediately. Contact ABC Auto Shipping right away and we will help you file a claim with the carrier’s insurance. Claims must be noted at delivery to be honored.

Is door-to-door EV shipping available?

Yes. ABC Auto Shipping offers door-to-door car shipping nationwide. If your street cannot accommodate a 75-foot to 80-foot carrier, the driver will arrange a nearby pickup or delivery point within a few miles, typically a major retailer parking lot.

How far in advance should I book EV shipping?

Book 7 to 30 days in advance whenever possible. EV shipments can sometimes be arranged on shorter notice, especially if there is open capacity on a carrier already heading your route. Booking earlier protects you from rate changes driven by fuel, weather, and seasonal demand.

Is ABC Auto Shipping the same as ABC Car Shipping?

No. ABC Auto Shipping, Inc. and ABC Car Shipping are different companies. abcautoshipping.com is the official website of ABC Auto Shipping, Inc., based in Irvine, California, and we are not affiliated with ABC Car Shipping. For any EV shipping question, quote, or payment please contact ABC Auto Shipping, Inc. directly at 877-686-5611.

Final Thoughts on Safe EV Shipping

Shipping an electric vehicle is straightforward when you partner with a company that understands what makes EVs different. The key reminders are simple. Keep the battery in the 45 to 65 percent range. Turn off Sentry Mode and similar features. Document the car with photos. Empty the cabin of personal items. Share transport-mode instructions with your driver. Choose a fully licensed nationwide carrier with EV experience.

ABC Auto Shipping has been moving cars, motorcycles, and specialty vehicles nationwide for over two decades. Whether your EV is a Tesla, Rivian, Ford Lightning, Hyundai Ioniq 5, or any other electric vehicle, our team coordinates pickup, transit, and delivery with the care it deserves. We offer open and enclosed transport, top-load positioning, door-to-door service, and full insurance through bonded carriers, all backed by a coordinator who stays in touch from booking to delivery.

Ready to ship your electric vehicle safely?

Get your free EV shipping quote today or call us at 877-686-5611.