Electric Vehicle Shipping
Door-to-door transport for electric cars, SUVs, and trucks. Carriers that understand EV weight, charge levels, and transport modes, with full insurance and no deposit.
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Electric Vehicles Ship Differently in a Few Important Ways
An electric vehicle rides on a car carrier the same way any other vehicle does. It is driven or winched on, strapped at the wheels, and delivered to your door. What differs is everything the driver needs to know before touching it.
The first thing is weight. A battery pack is heavy, and electric vehicles weigh considerably more than gas vehicles of the same size. A compact electric sedan weighs about two tons. A large electric pickup can weigh more than three and a half. Car carriers operate under a strict legal weight limit, so the driver has to plan the load around a heavy EV.
The second is how the car behaves when it is switched off. Many electric vehicles apply the parking brake automatically and cannot simply be shifted into neutral. Each manufacturer has its own transport or tow mode, and the car must be in it to be loaded and secured safely.
The third is the battery itself. It should not be full and it should not be nearly empty. It also loses a little charge during the trip, more so in cold weather.
None of this is difficult. It simply has to be done properly. Heartland Auto Transport is an FMCSA licensed broker serving Alabama and all 50 states. We assign vetted, insured carriers that are familiar with electric vehicles, and we pass along the details of your particular model. There is no deposit, and the price we quote is the price you pay.
What You Get With EV Shipping
The same service as any shipment, with the EV-specific details handled.
Carriers that know EVs
Drivers who understand transport modes, wheel tie-downs, and where not to place a strap or a jack.
Load planning for weight
We give the carrier your exact model so the truck stays within its legal limit.
Insurance included
The carrier's cargo insurance covers your vehicle throughout the trip.
Door-to-door delivery
To your home, your workplace, or straight from a delivery center or dealer.
Enclosed transport available
Recommended for premium models and for anyone who wants a new car to arrive spotless.
Answers at any hour
Not sure how to set transport mode on your model? Call and we will help you find out.
What It Costs to Ship an Electric Vehicle
Most electric cars and crossovers fall within our standard ranges, shown in the table. The very heaviest models, such as large electric pickups and three-row SUVs, can cost more, because their weight limits what else the carrier can haul.
Always give us the exact model and trim, including the battery size if you know it. Enclosed transport adds 60 to 80 percent. A vehicle that will not power on or cannot be put in transport mode is treated as inoperable, which adds $100 to $200.
| Route | Distance | Typical price | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short regional | Under 500 mi | $350 – $700 | 1–3 days |
| Mid-distance | 500–1,500 mi | $700 – $1,300 | 3–5 days |
| Cross-country | 1,500+ mi | $1,100 – $1,800 | 7–10 days |
Typical open-carrier prices for a standard vehicle. Very heavy electric trucks and SUVs may cost more.
How EV Shipping Works
Four steps, with a few minutes of preparation.
Get your quote
Enter your route and the exact model. Tell us if the vehicle is unusually heavy or has been modified.
Book a pickup window
We assign a vetted carrier with EV experience and capacity for the weight. No deposit is due.
Prepare and hand over
Charge to about half, pack the cable, and show the driver how to engage transport mode.
Delivery
At the destination, check the vehicle and its charge level, sign the report, and pay.
Electric Vehicles We Ship
Every make and every size.
Electric sedans and hatchbacks
Models such as the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and Chevrolet Bolt ship on any standard carrier.
Electric crossovers and SUVs
Model Y, Mustang Mach-E, Ioniq 5, ID.4, and similar vehicles are the EVs we are asked about most often.
Electric pickups
F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, Silverado EV, and Cybertruck are very heavy. Exact specifications are essential.
Premium and performance EVs
For a Lucid, a Taycan, or a Model S Plaid, consider enclosed transport with a lift gate.
Shipping an EV vs. a Gas Vehicle
The process is the same. These are the details that change.
| Electric vehicle | Gas vehicle | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Considerably heavier for its size | Lighter |
| Energy level | About half charge | About a quarter tank of fuel |
| Getting it rolling | Transport or tow mode, set through the screen | Shift into neutral |
| Keys | Key card, fob, or phone, often with a PIN | A standard key or fob |
| What to pack | Charging cable and adapters | Nothing |
| On arrival | Check the charge level and plug in | Refuel as needed |
How to Prepare an Electric Vehicle for Transport
Preparing an EV takes about fifteen minutes. Doing it carefully avoids nearly every problem we see.
Set the charge to about half. The driver needs enough energy to load, unload, and reposition the car, and you will want some range at the other end. A completely full battery adds nothing, and a nearly empty one risks a vehicle that will not move.
Learn your car's transport mode. Look it up in the owner's manual or the manufacturer's app before pickup day. On many models it is a setting on the touchscreen that keeps the car in neutral and stops the parking brake from engaging. Write the steps on a card and leave it on the driver's seat.
Sort out access. Hand over a key card or a fob, not your phone. If the car needs a PIN to drive, either switch that feature off for the trip or write the PIN on the same card. Do not share your account password.
Turn off the features that drain the battery. Security camera recording, cabin overheat protection, and scheduled preconditioning all consume power while the car sits. Switch them off, and leave the car in its lowest-power state.
Pack the charging equipment. Put the mobile charging cable and any adapters in the trunk or the front storage area, so they arrive with the car.
Remove everything else. Take out personal items, toll tags, and aftermarket accessories that could come loose.
Note the wheels. Many EVs have large wheels with low-profile tires that mark easily. Photograph each one, along with every body panel and the screen showing the charge level and the odometer.
Finally, tell the driver about anything particular to your model, such as flush door handles, air suspension, or a front trunk release that is hard to find.
Electric Vehicle Shipping Questions
Does it cost more to ship an electric vehicle?
For most electric cars and crossovers, no. They fall within our standard ranges. The heaviest models, particularly large electric trucks, may cost more because of their weight.
How much charge should the battery have?
About half. That leaves plenty for loading and unloading and gives you range when the vehicle arrives.
Will the battery lose charge during shipping?
A little. An EV uses a small amount of power even when parked, and more in cold weather or if security features are left on. Expect to see a few percent less on arrival.
What is transport mode, and why does it matter?
It is a setting that lets the vehicle roll freely and prevents the parking brake from applying automatically. Without it, the car cannot be loaded or secured properly. Your owner's manual explains how to turn it on.
Can you ship an EV that will not power on?
Yes, as an inoperable vehicle. It has to be winched onto the carrier, and some models need special handling when they have no power. Tell us the situation when you book.
Should I ship my EV open or enclosed?
Open transport is fine for everyday EVs. For premium or performance models, or a brand-new vehicle, enclosed transport with a lift gate offers more protection.
Can you deliver a new EV from a dealer or delivery center?
Yes. Give us the location and a contact. We collect the vehicle once it has been released to you and deliver it to your address.
Do I give the driver my phone key?
No. Provide a key card or fob. If the car requires a PIN to drive, write it down for the driver or disable the feature during the shipment.
Are plug-in hybrids shipped the same way?
Yes. A plug-in hybrid can be loaded on its gas engine like any other car. Leave about a quarter tank of fuel and a partial charge, and pack the charging cable.
Is there a deposit?
No. You pay on delivery, and the price matches your quote.
Ready to Ship Your Electric Vehicle?
Get a price for your exact model in under 60 seconds, or call with any question about preparing it.