Electric Car Shipping: Teslas, EVs, and What Changes
EVs ship on the same carriers as everything else, no special trailer, no hazmat drama. Two things genuinely change: the weight on the deck, and a short checklist before pickup that gas cars never needed. Get those right and a Tesla moves as routinely as a Camry.
Weight is the real difference
The battery pack makes an EV several hundred to over a thousand pounds heavier than its gas twin, a Model X or an F-150 Lightning carries serious mass. Carriers price deck space and axle weight, so heavier vehicles cost a bit more to move. Our calculator handles this by vehicle, enter the exact model and the number on screen is real.
Charge it to comfortable, not full
Aim for roughly 30 to 60 percent charge at pickup. The car only needs enough to drive on and off the carrier a couple of times, and shipping near full or near empty is unkind to the battery if the car sits during transit. Drivers do not charge your EV mid-route, so plan for the arrival charge to be close to the departure charge.
The pre-pickup checklist
Turn off Sentry Mode and similar always-on camera systems, they quietly drain the battery for the whole trip. Disable PIN-to-drive or share the code, put the key card physically with the vehicle, and know how to engage your car's transport or tow mode, Teslas have it in the service menu, so the driver can winch it onto the deck safely if needed. Five minutes, and pickup goes perfectly. The universal prep steps are in our preparation guide.
Dead EVs are a bigger deal than dead gas cars
A gas car with a dead battery gets a jump. A fully dead EV cannot shift into neutral or steer without power, which makes loading genuinely harder. It still ships, carriers handle it with winches and skates, but tell us honestly at booking so the right equipment arrives, priced automatically when you mark the vehicle as non-running.
Open or enclosed for an EV?
The same logic as any car of that value: open is standard and safe, enclosed is the premium choice for a new Plaid or a Lucid you want sealed away from weather and debris. The comparison is in our enclosed guide, and both prices show instantly in the calculator.
EV shipping questions
How much does it cost to ship a Tesla?
Distance, the exact model, and season set the price, and the battery weight is already priced in. Run your ZIPs and the model through our instant calculator, no email or phone needed.
Is shipping an electric car more expensive?
Slightly, because EVs weigh several hundred pounds more than comparable gas cars and carriers price weight. The difference is modest, not dramatic.
Why do EVs cost more to ship?
Battery packs add serious weight, and deck space plus axle weight is what a carrier sells. A heavier vehicle simply uses more of the truck.
Should my EV be charged before shipping?
Yes, roughly 30 to 60 percent. It needs enough charge to load and unload, and sitting in transit near full or near empty is not ideal for the battery.
What battery percentage should my Tesla be at for transport?
Around 50 percent is the comfortable target. Turn off Sentry Mode too, it drains the battery the entire trip if left on.
Can an EV go on a regular open carrier?
Yes, EVs ride the same open carriers as everything else. There is no special trailer requirement for an electric car.
Can you ship an EV with a dead battery?
Yes, but say so at booking. A fully dead EV cannot shift or steer, so the carrier brings a winch and skates, priced automatically when you mark it non-running.
Does shipping hurt an EV battery?
No, a week on a trailer is just parking. Moderate charge and Sentry-style systems switched off is all the battery care transport needs.
Do I need to turn off Sentry Mode when shipping a Tesla?
Yes. Always-on cameras drain the battery for the whole trip, and the footage of highway wind is not worth arriving at 5 percent.
Can the driver charge my EV during the trip?
No, plan for the arrival charge to be close to the departure charge. Ship at a moderate charge and you will have plenty to reach a charger at delivery.
Is enclosed shipping better for electric cars?
It is the same value question as any car, open is standard and safe, enclosed is the premium for high-value vehicles. The battery does not care either way.
How do I put my Tesla in transport mode?
In the service menu: Controls, Service, Towing, then Transport Mode, which lets the car roll freely for winching. Leave the key card with the vehicle so the driver can use it at both ends.