Electric Vehicle Shipping
Electric vehicle shipping costs the same as any gas-powered car of the same size -- $630 to $1,350 depending on distance -- with no EV surcharge. There is no special carrier required and no battery risk. EVs travel on the same open and enclosed carriers that move gas-powered vehicles every day. The only difference is a couple of prep steps specific to battery management. Bold Auto Transport ships every EV brand from Tesla to Rivian to Lucid, with $0 deductible insurance included on every shipment.
How Electric Vehicle Shipping Works
If you have shipped a gas-powered car before, you already know how this works. The process is identical.
Your EV gets loaded onto a multi-car carrier trailer. The driver secures it with wheel harnesses, the same ones used on every other vehicle. The car sits stationary the entire trip. No mileage on the odometer, no wear on the motor or battery, no charging needed during transit.
When the carrier arrives at the destination, the driver releases the harnesses and rolls the EV off the trailer. You inspect the vehicle, sign the Bill of Lading, and drive off.
The only EV-specific part? You need enough battery charge for the driver to roll the car on and off the trailer. We recommend 50-80% charge at pickup. That is it.
How Much Does Electric Vehicle Shipping Cost?
EV shipping costs the same as shipping any car of the same size. There is no electric vehicle surcharge. Here are the current averages:
| Distance | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $630 | $930 |
| 500–2,500 miles | $1,135 | $1,550 |
| Over 2,500 miles | $1,350 | $1,830 |
Pricing depends on the vehicle's size, not its drivetrain. A Tesla Model 3 ships at sedan rates. A Rivian R1S ships at SUV rates. A Ford F-150 Lightning ships at truck rates. Use our cost calculator for a price specific to your EV and route.
Open vs. Enclosed for EVs
The same rules apply as any other vehicle. If your EV is a daily driver worth under $50,000, open transport is the smart choice. If you are shipping a Porsche Taycan Turbo S, Lucid Air Grand Touring, Tesla Model S Plaid, or any EV valued over $50,000, enclosed transport gives you full weather and debris protection for 30-40% more.
How to Prepare Your EV for Shipping
EVs have a few specific prep steps that differ from gas-powered cars. Here is the full checklist:
- Charge to 50-80%. Enough for the driver to load and unload, plus a buffer. Do not charge to 100%. Lithium-ion batteries degrade slightly faster when stored at full capacity for extended periods.
- Turn off Sentry Mode (Tesla). Sentry Mode drains the battery during transit and may trigger alerts when the carrier makes stops. Disable it before pickup.
- Disable scheduled charging. If your EV is set to start charging at a certain time, turn it off. The car will not be plugged in during transit and you do not want it searching for a connection.
- Set the vehicle to transport mode (if available). Some EVs have a dedicated transport or tow mode that puts the car in neutral without activating the drive motor. Check your owner's manual.
- Fold mirrors. Folded mirrors reduce the vehicle's width on the carrier and prevent contact with adjacent vehicles.
- Remove or secure the charge cable. Do not leave the charge cable loose in the trunk. Secure it so it does not rattle around during transit.
- Take photos of all angles. Timestamped photos before pickup are your documentation if anything happens. Photograph the battery charge level too.
- Note the odometer reading. Your EV should not gain any miles during transport. Note the reading before pickup and verify at delivery.
Electric Vehicles We Ship
Bold ships every electric vehicle on the market. No brand restrictions, no drivetrain limitations. Here are the EVs we transport most frequently:
Popular EV Models
- Tesla — Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, Cybertruck
- Rivian — R1T, R1S, R2
- Ford — Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning
- Chevrolet — Equinox EV, Blazer EV, Silverado EV
- Hyundai — Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6
- Kia — EV6, EV9
Luxury and Performance EVs
- Porsche — Taycan, Macan Electric
- BMW — iX, i4, i5, i7
- Mercedes-Benz — EQS, EQE, EQB
- Lucid — Air, Gravity
- Volkswagen — ID.4, ID.Buzz
- Polestar — Polestar 2, Polestar 3
Plug-in hybrids (PHEV) ship exactly the same way. Toyota RAV4 Prime, Jeep Wrangler 4xe, Volvo XC60 Recharge, BMW X5 xDrive50e -- all good. Same process, same pricing.
What About the Battery? (Your Questions Answered)
Battery concerns are the #1 question we get from EV owners. Here is the truth:
- The battery is not a safety risk during transport. EV batteries are designed to survive crashes, extreme temperatures, and severe road conditions. Sitting on a carrier trailer is the most benign environment your battery will ever experience.
- The battery will not drain significantly. Modern EVs have minimal parasitic draw when parked and powered off. You might lose 1-3% over a 7-14 day transport. Turning off Sentry Mode and other monitoring features reduces this even further.
- Transport does not degrade battery health. Battery degradation happens from charge cycling, extreme temperatures, and time. Sitting stationary on a trailer for a week does none of those things. Your battery health percentage will be the same at delivery.
- No special hazmat permits required. Ground transport of EVs requires no special permits, certifications, or hazardous material handling. Only air freight of lithium batteries has special regulations, and that does not apply here.
Why EV Owners Ship with Bold
EV buyers tend to do more research than average car buyers. They compare specs. They read the fine print. They want to know exactly what they are paying for. We like that.
- No EV surcharge — Some brokers quietly add $50-$100 for electric vehicles. We do not. An EV ships at the same rate as a gas car of the same size.
- $0 deductible insurance — Full coverage cargo insurance included free on every shipment. On a $45,000 Tesla Model Y, you want real insurance, not a policy with a $500 deductible that defeats the purpose.
- Dedicated coordinator — One person who knows your vehicle, your route, and your timeline. Proactive updates, not a call center.
- Both open and enclosed options — Open transport for everyday EVs. Enclosed transport for performance and luxury models. Your coordinator helps you choose the right option for your specific vehicle.
- Transparent pricing — The quote you receive is the price you pay. No adjustments, no hidden fees, no last-minute additions.
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