Can You Ship an Electric Car by Train?

Have you ever considered how electric cars are transported across the country? Can a car be hauled by train?

While shipping traditional vehicles is commonplace, shipping electric ones require special handling due to their advanced batteries and unique storage needs.

Electric cars can indeed be shipped via train. However, to do so safely requires extra considerations due to their unique properties.

We will discuss this topic further in this article. Here you will discover specific steps and requirements needed when sending an EV by rail.

Shipping Your Electric Car By Train: Weighing Up the Options

Shipping your car by train presents only limited options in terms of location and accessibility.

Major rail routes such as Santa Fe, Burlington Northern, Union Pacific, CSX, and Amtrak typically only transport cars belonging to auto-hauling companies.

Individual customers looking to ship one car by train may encounter difficulty finding these services.

Unfortunately, this can present a challenge to those residing in rural locations or without access to alternative forms of car carriers.

There are other solutions when looking into car shipping by train. An intermodal terminal could offer car shipment on rail cars while allowing customers to fill any available slots with their vehicle.

Terminals like these might cost extra but could save time and money depending on where they're situated near where you reside.

Certain railway companies also provide door-to-door service, where their representative will load your vehicle onto their carrier and transport it directly to its final destination without further conveyance requirements.

When choosing which delivery method by train is right for you, consider cost, convenience, and ease of use, as these factors should all factor into your decision-making.

Hauling a Plug-in Vehicle by Container: Cost Effective and Green

Shipping your car by train can be an attractive alternative for auto transport as it offers lower costs than many other methods. A car carrier truck will collect it and bring it directly to its terminal before being transferred to its final stop for delivery to its final destination.

Railway transport offers multiple advantages beyond affordability: more fuel efficiency and environmental sustainability are two major draws of rail delivery, thanks to trains' MPG rating, which produces fewer emissions during travel than overland transportation.

Your auto transportation company must meet overland hauling requirements and short-term storage if needed. At the same time, rail transport offers you peace of mind knowing your shipment is secure due to added safety measures.

Trains offer more room than trucks for delicate items that may need special handling during transit, making hauling via rail an appealing way of safely shipping a vehicle across multiple locations while simultaneously cutting costs along the way.

Sending Your Battery-powered Auto By Locomotive: Enclosed Or Open

Shipping your car by train offers an efficient and safe means of long-distance vehicle shipping, offering two primary vehicle carrier types: enclosed or open vehicle carriers.

The latter is similar to their road counterparts, exposing cars to elements while traveling along their routes.

Transport may leave some dirt or squashed bugs on your windshield, but for the most part, it is quite secure. If any car damage occurs during transit, car transport insurance should cover any small scratches or dings you find afterward.

Enclosed vehicle carriers offer additional protection when hauling by rail, offering better weatherproofing and potential mechanical harm from other cars or large objects moving on the carrier.

Although more costly than public transport options, private car conveyance offers greater security and peace of mind as you know that your vehicle will arrive at its destination safely.

Extra Benefits When Hauling Your Plug-in-vehicle by Locomotive

Shipping your car by train offers many additional advantages. One such advantage is being able to use any remaining space in its designated container for other items like personal effects and collectibles.

As delivery costs will apply to an entire container regardless of its use, this strategy can save on costs by optimizing space usage within it.

Another advantage of car relocation by rail is its reduced environmental impact. Trains use electricity, generating far fewer emissions and pollutants than cars or trucks traveling long distances.

Railway companies also implement stringent safety protocols to protect your car during its journey.

Be wary that they may have restrictions when hauling tall vehicles with low ground clearance or cars with excessive height restrictions; be sure to double-check this ahead of time.

Travel with Your Auto

Shipping your car by rail can be the ideal solution if you want to ensure it reaches its new destination intact and affordably. Not only could it save on gas and maintenance expenses, but this method might be more convenient than taking an airplane flight directly there.

Your options when searching for auto-train companies depend on your specific needs and goals. When requesting quotes for sending via train, it is vitally important that you consider all aspects.

Cargo-only trains are one option, while mixed services with passengers could even allow your car to travel alongside you.

Remember that when seeking quotes, requesting details early check-in times as a passenger is an integral factor of shipping success.

Amtrak operates daily service between Orlando, Florida, and Washington, DC that transports both household items and shipped cars on board with passengers on one route. The service is safe for travels across long distances while remaining comfortable for everyone.

How to Prepare Your Battery-Powered Vehicle to Be Shipped, Via Rail

As soon as your reservation has been approved, several tasks need to be accomplished to prepare your electric vehicle for its journey.

1. Clean both inside and outside: Doing this will reveal any dings, dents, scuffs, or scratches that need repair. Take photos for your records if any are discovered. Ensure the battery of your electric vehicle is fully charged so your driver can move your EV on and off its transport trailer quickly.
2. Remove all belongings: The glove compartment and trunk should be empty of items. Parking passes or toll road beepers must also be taken off before traveling.
3. Do a maintenance check: Your electric vehicle should be safe and in excellent working order, from tires that need attention to fluid levels being properly filled up. Brakes that work as intended and have no leaking fluids should all be in top shape before any trips.

Documents Needed to Send Your Plug-in Auto

Some cross-country auto transport businesses require numerous documents before hauling an electric car to the mainland US. These documents are:

• Registration documents
• Bill of sale
• Vehicle title documents
• Valid identification

As ownership documentation, copies of your vehicle title, or any other paperwork showing ownership.

If your electric car remains subject to any lien agreements, additional documentation might include letters from lienholders authorizing its release. The same goes for insurance and registration.

Also, reservation reference numbers must be secured before your vehicle can be shipped.

When someone other than yourself represents you when hauling occurs, a power of attorney must also be signed if not present for shipping of the vehicle.

Wrapping Up

As previously discussed, although shipping an electric car by train may seem daunting at first, it's definitely feasible.

With proper research and preparation, your electric vehicle should arrive safely at its destination.

If you need assistance shipping cars, We can provide reliable car delivery solutions. With years of experience as one of the premier auto Delivery services under our belt, we can deliver classic cars and electric vehicles safely and reliably.

Find out about our auto transporter services and receive a free instant delivery cost estimation.