Electric Auto Transport Services

Are you planning to move and unsure how to ship your electric vehicle? Like normal cars, you can ship virtually anywhere in the United States using the same shipping methods.

Electric cars are treated the same as normal cars in terms of regulations. However, there are certain things you should be aware of before shipping your vehicle.

We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the auto-shipping process and understand how to protect your vehicle during transit.

What Are the Differences When It Comes to Shipping an Electric Car?

EVs use batteries similar to the rechargeable ones in most stores. Although they are far bigger, the materials they use are the same.

Rechargeable batteries are far heavier than single-use ones, which makes them even heavier in electric and hybrid vehicles.

Because of this, some auto transport companies charge more for hybrid/electric vehicle shipping. They argue that moving batteries containing lithium ions requires more licensing, extra care, and equipment.

Potential Dangers of Lithium Ion Batteries

You may have heard of smartphones and laptops using lithium-ion batteries bursting into flames from overheating. Because of this, many people are concerned about whether such batteries are safe for use in electric vehicles.

Cell phone and laptop manufacturers prefer lithium-ion batteries because of their great size-to-energy production ratio. However, because such a small object contains so much energy, it sometimes catches on fire.

This occurs when the oxidizer and fuel are both contained inside the battery. And unlike a normal fire, you cannot extinguish flames produced this way. The temperatures generated can even melt aluminum, and the batteries may explode.

The batteries are bigger and capable of a much larger explosion for electric cars. Some companies, such as Tesla Motors, place the batteries capable of taking a vehicle to 60 mph in 4 seconds right behind the passengers. This is the root of most vehicle shipping companies’ concerns.

However, Tesla Motors and similar companies have implemented several high-tech safety mechanisms, including:

• Creating a liquid cooling system controlled electronically
• Three fuse layers
• Sensors that cause the batteries to disconnect if it reach too high a temperature
• Protection in case of collisions
• Overcharging protection

Even the decision to use several smaller batteries stacked together instead of a larger, single battery was motivated by safety concerns. Every battery is isolated and covered in a steel case, and the entire system is encased for further protection.

The chances of something going wrong are extremely low. Unless a problem happens during manufacturing or multiple safety precautions get corroded over time and fail to work, you should be safe driving an electric vehicle.

Can You Ship an Electric Vehicle?

These vehicles have different shipping standards from regular vehicles. Transporting an electric vehicle has been difficult and expensive in the past. As the market has developed, the car industry has shifted towards newer technological standards. Demand for EVs has increased, and the car shipping industry has adapted to meet consumer standards.

Today, most transportation companies ship electric cars for about the same price as regular vehicles. Modern safety procedures for vehicle shipping are tailored to both gas and electric cars. It’s easy to find a reliable way to ship your vehicle with A-1 Auto Transport, where we provide some of the cheapest vehicle transport services in North America.

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Should you Pay More to have your Electric Vehicle Shipped?

Are auto transporters who charge more for electric vehicle shipping justified? The short answer is no.

Besides all the precautions car manufacturers take to ensure their products are safe to drive, we must also remember that most risks associated with lithium-ion batteries come from overheating during use.

During transportation, vehicles are not turned on; they are resting in a truck, ship, or airplane. This means there is no chance of the vehicle overheating.

The batteries may burst into flames in case of a collision. Still, considering the electric vehicle is inside a truck or ship, the impact on the vehicle and batteries will be cushioned greatly. Also, as explained above, the batteries are designed with safety measures in case of a collision.

It would be best not to worry about shipping your electric vehicle. Auto-shipping is safe, predictable, and designed to protect your vehicle.

Gasoline vs. Hybrid Auto Conveyance

The chances of an electric vehicle bursting into flames, when driven, are few, and the chances of one exploding when transported are even fewer. Most often, companies that charge extra or refuse to move vehicles do so due to insufficient information. Because hybrid vehicles are still in the minority, many auto shipping companies and mechanics haven’t encountered them.

Gasoline, hybrid, and electric vehicle shipping are done the same way. All automobiles, regardless of type, must be loaded, transported, and unloaded safely, and the necessary safety measures are the same regardless of the type of vehicle.

Are There Any Regulations For Hauling EVs in the US?

Electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries, which have strict shipping regulations in the US. Proper packaging must prevent explosions during transport, and the battery must be secured before transport to prevent movement and short circuits.

Aside from the battery, the shipping regulations on autos are the same as those for normal cars. The increased battery regulations shouldn’t inconvenience you as a customer at all: it’s the responsibility of the shipping company to make sure your vehicle is secure and safe during transit.

Electric cars are expensive investments. The average Tesla costs between $40,000 and $90,000. While you can ship your electric vehicle, you should take extra precautions to ensure that it is prepared properly.

Driving thousands of miles may not be an option if you're moving across the country. Shipping is the fastest, safest, and most affordable way to get your car anywhere in the United States.

• Driving your car to its destination is inconvenient, dangerous, and causes unnecessary wear and tear.
• Modern shipping standards guarantee that your vehicle will stay safe throughout its journey.
• Getting your vehicle shipped by a professional vehicle transport company is the best way to ensure it gets where it needs to go without you having to worry.

Is it Safe to Move My Electric Car?

Yes! Your electric vehicle will be turned off during the shipping process, which means it isn’t any more dangerous to ship it than a regular car.

We recommend you inspect your vehicle, remove personal belongings, and document any damage before shipment starts. This will help you make an insurance claim should anything go wrong during your shipment.

Do I Need to Drain My Electric Car’s Battery Before Carrying?

As long as the battery is secured against short circuits and prevented from moving, there’s no need to drain your car’s battery before shipping it. The car will not be turned on throughout the shipping process except when loaded and unloaded from a truck, boat, or airplane.

The battery may drain during the shipping process due to energy loss. If you want your car’s battery to have life still when it reaches its destination, it’s best to charge it before shipping.

How Should I Prepare My Electric Car for Dispatching?

Preparing your electric vehicle for shipping follows the same process as any vehicle:

1. Clean out the valuables in your car.
2. Inspect your car and take pictures for your records in case damage is incurred during the shipping process.
3. Verify that your insurance policy covers the potential damages your vehicle may incur during shipping. These damages can be expensive, and some auto insurance plans don’t cover them.
4. Deactivate systems such as the car alarm and automatic toll passes before shipping.
5. Present your car to be picked up by the shipping company at a predetermined time. Provide an extra set of keys to the shipping company representative who picks up your car.

After these steps, all that’s left is waiting for your electric car to arrive at its destination!

Do Electric Cars Cost More to Haul?

Yes and no. The shipping process is identical to that for regular vehicles, and your shipping company should not charge you any premiums for having an electric vehicle.

However, they tend to be slightly heavier than their gas counterparts. Since car shipping companies charge by weight, you may have to pay a little more to get your electric car where it needs to go.

A-1 Auto Transport provides reliable shipping services for electric vehicles. Contact our team if you have any questions.