Specialized auto transport for Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, and every major electric vehicle on the market. Carriers trained on EV-specific loading, tow-mode setup, and battery considerations.
Electric vehicle shipping is auto transport service specifically adapted for the unique requirements of battery-electric vehicles. While EVs ship on the same carriers as conventional vehicles, they introduce a handful of specific considerations — drive system tow-mode requirements, regenerative braking lockout, significantly higher curb weights from battery packs, and (for some models) limited ground clearance that affects loading. Razorback Auto Transport has shipped thousands of EVs and works with carriers trained on the specific quirks of every major EV brand.
Whether you're moving a Tesla Model 3 across town, shipping a Rivian R1T from a delivery center to your driveway, transporting a Lucid Air Sapphire to a new state, or handling fleet-scale EV repositioning, our EV shipping service handles the entire move door-to-door. We ship every electric vehicle on the U.S. market: Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, Ford Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Bolt and Blazer EV, Cadillac Lyriq and Celestiq, Hyundai Ioniq, Kia EV6 and EV9, Polestar, Mercedes EQ series, BMW i series, Audi e-tron, Porsche Taycan, Volvo EX series, Nissan Leaf and Ariya, and others.
EVs introduce several considerations that conventional ICE vehicles don't:
Most EVs cannot be loaded onto a trailer with the parking brake engaged using normal procedures. Instead, the driver must enter the vehicle's specific tow mode or transport mode — which releases the regenerative braking, disengages the parking pawl, and prevents the drive motors from generating resistance during loading. The procedure varies by manufacturer: Tesla uses Transport Mode, Rivian uses Tow Mode, Lucid uses Transport Mode, etc. Carriers experienced with EVs know each procedure cold.
EVs are heavy. A Tesla Model S Plaid weighs 4,800+ lbs. A Rivian R1T weighs over 7,000 lbs. A GMC Hummer EV weighs over 9,000 lbs. This affects carrier capacity, trailer balance, and loading order. Some lightweight standard carriers can't accommodate multiple EVs simultaneously — the carrier needs to know which vehicles are EVs before dispatch.
Many EVs have minimal ground clearance to maximize battery pack space and optimize aerodynamics. Tesla Model S, Lucid Air, Porsche Taycan, and similar can scrape on standard auto-transport ramps. EVs in these categories typically benefit from hydraulic lift-gate loading.
Without proper tow-mode engagement, EV regenerative braking resists wheel rotation during loading and can damage drivetrain components. EV-trained carriers always disengage regen before loading and unloading.
EV batteries are generally safe and well-protected during normal transit, but they do introduce considerations: battery state of charge during shipping (most experts recommend 20–50% charge for transit), temperature exposure during long routes through extreme climates, and occasional safety regulations regarding multiple EVs on a single trailer. EV-experienced carriers manage these factors automatically.
Electric vehicle transport follows the standard auto transport process with EV-specific steps integrated throughout:
Electric vehicle transport pricing is generally similar to comparable ICE vehicle shipping, with a small premium reflecting heavier curb weights and more careful handling requirements:
Heavy EVs (Hummer EV, Rivian R1S, Ford F-150 Lightning) add $100–$250. Luxury and performance EVs requiring enclosed transport (Lucid Air, Porsche Taycan, Tesla Roadster) follow luxury enclosed pricing. Razorback provides exact pricing online for your specific EV.
State of charge for EV shipping: Most manufacturers and carriers recommend a 20–50% battery state of charge when shipping an EV. Lower charge levels are safer for long-distance transport (less stress on the battery during temperature variations), and the vehicle will have enough charge to be driven on/off the carrier and to a charger at destination. Don't ship a fully charged EV unless specifically necessary.
Razorback's EV shipping network covers every major electric vehicle on the U.S. market:
From the most affordable EV to the most exotic luxury electric supercar, Razorback Auto Transport handles every electric vehicle with carriers trained on the specific requirements of battery-electric transport. Get a free EV shipping quote online, or call (866) 605-0281 to speak with a specialist about your specific electric vehicle.
Common questions about electric vehicle (ev) shipping
EV shipping costs are similar to comparable ICE vehicles with a small premium for heavier curb weights. A standard EV moving 1,000 miles costs $850–$1,200 on an open carrier. Coast-to-coast EV shipping averages $1,350–$1,900. Heavy EVs like the F-150 Lightning or Hummer EV add $100–$250. Luxury enclosed EV transport runs higher.
Most carriers and manufacturers recommend a 20–50% state of charge for EV shipping. Lower charge levels reduce stress on the battery during transit temperature variations and provide enough range to drive the vehicle on and off the carrier plus reach a charger at destination. Don't ship at 100% charge unless specifically necessary.
Yes. Razorback ships Tesla Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, and Cybertruck regularly. Our drivers are trained on Tesla's Transport Mode procedure, which properly disengages the regenerative braking and parking pawl for safe loading. Sentry Mode should be disabled before shipping to preserve battery during transit.
Slightly. The small premium reflects heavier curb weights (most EVs weigh several hundred pounds more than equivalent ICE vehicles), more careful loading procedures, and EV-trained carriers. The difference is typically $50–$250 depending on the vehicle. The lightest EVs price out essentially identical to comparable gas cars.
A few quick steps: charge to 20–50%, disable Sentry Mode or equivalent monitoring (Tesla), disable any vehicle tracking apps that might flag transport as theft, and confirm the carrier knows your vehicle's tow-mode procedure (most know already). Otherwise, EV prep is the same as for any other vehicle.
