EV shipping
EV And Hybrid Vehicle Shipping
Electric vehicles are heavier than they look, behave differently at walking pace, and have a charge level that matters. None of that is difficult, but all of it has to be known in advance.
Weight is the first thing that changes
A battery pack adds several hundred pounds over a comparable combustion vehicle, and some electric trucks and large SUVs weigh far more than their size suggests.
That matters because carriers are limited by legal gross weight as well as deck space. A trailer that comfortably holds nine sedans may hold fewer when several are electric. It is a genuine constraint rather than a surcharge, and it is why the model matters more than the body style when we quote.
Charge level
Roughly 30 to 50 percent is the sensible range. Enough to load, position and unload, and enough that the vehicle is not sitting at nearly empty if the journey takes longer than planned.
Do not ship at full charge or nearly empty. Full adds unnecessary weight and is not recommended for the battery over a stationary period. Nearly empty risks the vehicle being unable to move under its own power at delivery, which turns a simple unload into a problem.
Transport mode and creep
Most EVs have a transport, tow or service mode that disables regenerative braking, prevents the vehicle powering down mid-load, and stops the parking brake engaging automatically. Knowing how to activate it is model specific and not obvious.
The other thing drivers need to know is that EVs creep differently. Instant torque with no engine noise behaves nothing like a combustion vehicle at loading speed, and a driver who has not moved one before will find that out on your ramp.
Tell us the model at booking and we assign someone who has handled it.
What to tell us
- Exact model and year — weight varies enormously across the EV range
- Charge level at collection — aim for 30 to 50 percent
- How to enter transport mode — or confirm the driver should look it up
- Any charging cables travelling with it — these are personal items and not insured
- Whether it currently drives — a non-functional EV needs quite different handling
Non-running electric vehicles
An EV that will not power up is a more involved job than a combustion car that will not start. Many cannot be shifted out of park without power, which means they will not roll onto a winch.
If yours will not power up, say so clearly at quote stage. There are ways to handle it, but they require the right equipment arranged in advance rather than discovered at the kerb.
Open or enclosed
Open transport is fine for most EVs, and it is what the majority ship on. Enclosed is worth considering for high-value models, very low ground clearance, or where the vehicle is being delivered to a customer who expects it flawless.
EV shipping questions
What charge level should my EV be at?
Between 30 and 50 percent. Enough to load and unload comfortably, without the extra weight of a full pack or the risk of arriving unable to move.
Does an EV cost more to ship?
Sometimes, because of weight. Carriers are limited by legal gross weight as well as deck space, so a heavy vehicle can reduce how many others fit on the trailer.
Do drivers know how to use transport mode?
Tell us the model at booking and we assign someone familiar with it. Transport mode differs between manufacturers and is not obvious to a driver seeing it for the first time.
Can you ship an EV that will not power up?
It is more involved than a combustion vehicle that will not start, because many EVs cannot be shifted out of park without power and therefore will not roll. Tell us clearly at quote stage so the right equipment is arranged.
Can I leave my charging cable in the car?
You can, but it counts as a personal item and is not covered by cargo insurance. If it is an expensive cable, take it with you.
Shipping an EV?
Tell us the model and we will confirm the equipment and the charge level before collection.