Electric Vehicle Shipping: Teslas, EVs, Hybrids
Shipping an EV works like shipping any car: door-to-door across all 48 contiguous states, $2M cargo insurance, and pickup typically within 1-3 days of booking. The EV-specific part is prep, starting with a 30-50 percent battery charge at pickup.
- Battery at 30-50 percent charge at pickup, no charging in transit
- Enclosed options for high-value EVs at typically 40 to 60 percent over open
- Every EV covered by $2M cargo insurance while on the carrier
Electric vehicle shipping works much like shipping any car: Car Haul Direct moves your EV door-to-door across all 48 contiguous states with $2M cargo insurance coverage and pickup typically within 1-3 days of booking. The EV-specific part is prep: plan on a 30-50 percent battery charge at pickup, with no charging in transit.
Reviewed by Mike Fergusson, EVP Operations, Car Haul Direct
Why choose CHD for electric vehicle shipping?
EVs ride standard carriers. The difference is prep, weight, and knowing both.
FMCSA-Licensed Broker
Car Haul Direct is a licensed auto transport broker, USDOT 4321158, matching your EV with insured, authorized carriers.
$2M Cargo Coverage
Every electric vehicle ships under $2M cargo insurance while it is on the carrier.
48-State Coverage
Door-to-door EV shipping across all 48 contiguous states, plus Hawaii and Alaska coordination.
1-3 Day Pickup
Pickup typically happens within 1-3 days of booking in metro areas.
Weight-Aware Dispatch
EVs often weigh more than comparable gas cars per manufacturer specifications, so carriers plan loads accordingly.
Enclosed Options
High-value EVs ship enclosed at typically 40 to 60 percent over the open rate.
Standard Carriers, EV-Specific Prep
The figures that govern a CHD electric vehicle move.
30-50
Percent Charge at Pickup
Enough to load and unload under its own power, with no charging in transit.
$2M
Cargo Insurance Coverage
On every EV while it is on the carrier, including the underbody where battery packs sit.
1-3
Day Pickup Window
Typical metro pickup after booking; outlying areas can add 1-2 days.
48
Contiguous States Covered
Door-to-door EV transport, plus Hawaii and Alaska coordination.
Electric vehicle shipping questions, answered
Cost, charge level, and whether EVs need special equipment.
Does it cost more to ship a Tesla or an electric car?
Usually not much. Most operable EVs ship like gas cars on the same open carriers at the same lane pricing. The main structural factor is weight: per manufacturer specifications, EVs often weigh more than comparable gas cars, which affects load planning and can sometimes affect price. Enclosed typically adds 40 to 60 percent for any vehicle. Ask about available EV discounts when you book.
How charged should my EV battery be for shipping?
Plan on 30-50 percent charge at pickup. That range leaves enough power for the car to load and unload under its own power without risking a depleted battery at delivery. Avoid shipping at full charge or near empty. Since there is no charging in transit, the car arrives at roughly the charge it left with.
Do EVs need special trailers or equipment?
No special trailer is required for a running EV. Standard open and enclosed carriers load electric vehicles the same way they load gas cars. The differences are prep-related: correct charge level, transport or tow settings where the manufacturer recommends them, and accurate weight for load planning.
Who ships an electric vehicle?
Tesla Owners
Model 3 and Model Y ship on standard open carriers, and Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck move on the same trailers. Prep is a charge check and a settings pass.
Relocating EV Drivers
Moving 1,000 miles means days of charging stops, or one booking that puts the car in your new driveway while you fly.
Out-of-State EV Buyers
You ordered from a distant dealer or a private seller. CHD coordinates pickup with the seller and delivers to your address.
High-Value EV Owners
A Lucid, a Porsche Taycan, or a Model S Plaid deserves the enclosed trailer, typically at 40 to 60 percent over open.
Hybrid Drivers
Hybrids and plug-in hybrids ship exactly like gas cars, with no charge target to manage.
Services that fit your EV
Six ways the standard CHD service set maps onto an electric vehicle.
Open Transport
The standard choice for most EVs and the most affordable. Your car rides a multi-vehicle open carrier just like the gas cars beside it.
Enclosed Transport
A covered trailer for high-value EVs, typically at 40 to 60 percent over the open rate. Weather and road debris stay off the car entirely.
Door-to-Door Transport
The carrier collects and delivers at your addresses. No terminal drop-offs and no hunting for a charger near a depot.
Expedited Transport
Fixed start dates and tight timelines can call for a tighter pickup window. Expedited service prioritizes your load.
$2M Cargo Insurance
Coverage of $2M applies to every EV while it is on the carrier. The pickup inspection documents condition, including the underbody where battery packs sit.
Hawaii and Alaska Coordination
EV moves to non-contiguous states add an ocean leg. CHD coordinates mainland transport with port partners.
How electric vehicle shipping works: 5 steps
Five steps from quote to delivery, with the EV prep that matters.
1. Get Your Instant Quote
Enter your route, your EV's make and model, and your timing. Weight figures come from manufacturer specifications.
2. Book Your Pickup Window
Confirm open or enclosed and set your first available date. Pickup typically lands within 1-3 days of booking.
3. Prep the Car
Charge to 30-50 percent, enable transport or tow settings per your owner's manual, turn off sentry or alarm features, and photograph the car.
4. Hand Off at Pickup
The driver inspects the car with you and records condition on the Bill of Lading. The car loads under its own power.
5. Receive at Delivery
The car arrives at roughly the charge it left with. Inspect against the pickup record, then charge at your first stop.
Electric vehicle shipping FAQ
Tesla pricing, charging in transit, charge targets, and cold weather.
For most Tesla models, no. A Model 3 or Model Y ships at standard lane pricing on an open carrier, like a comparable gas sedan or crossover. Heavier models affect load planning, since per manufacturer specifications EVs often weigh more than gas equivalents, and that can sometimes influence the quote. Enclosed typically adds 40 to 60 percent for any car.
No. Car carriers do not carry charging equipment, and your EV will not be charged at any point between pickup and delivery. That is why the 30-50 percent charge target matters: the car needs enough power to load, unload, and reach your first charger at the destination.
No, and do not ship at 100 percent either. Aim for 30-50 percent charge at pickup. A depleted battery risks a car that cannot drive itself off the trailer, and some EVs have low-voltage systems that also depend on charge. A moderate charge keeps loading simple at both ends.
Open transport is the right call for most EVs, including everyday Model 3 and Model Y moves. Enclosed, typically 40 to 60 percent over the open rate, suits high-value electric cars where weather and debris exposure is not acceptable. Both options carry the same $2M cargo insurance coverage.
Yes. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids ship exactly like conventional vehicles: no charge target to manage, no special settings, and standard lane pricing on open carriers. The gas engine handles loading and unloading, so the battery state is not a factor the way it is for a full EV.
Yes, but it counts as inoperable and typically adds $100-$200 to the move, since loading takes extra equipment. Disclose the condition at booking, including whether the car rolls and steers. A damaged or flooded battery can face additional carrier restrictions, so share full details upfront.
It can. Batteries deliver less range in the cold, so an EV arriving in winter weather may show a lower range than it did in mild temperatures. This is normal battery behavior and reverses as the pack warms. Plan your first charging stop with the reduced range in mind.
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Get Your Electric Vehicle Shipping Quote
Enter your route and vehicle details in the instant quote calculator on this page and see your number before you book.