Published December 3, 2025

How Does Shipping an Electric Vehicle Differ from a Traditional Gas Car?

EV owners: Discover cost differences, battery prep needs, carrier limitations, and why shipping electric cars costs more than gas vehicles.

How Does Shipping an Electric Vehicle Differ from a Traditional Gas Car?

auto transport car shipping EV shipping electric vehicle transport auto transport costs

How Does Shipping an Electric Vehicle Differ from a Traditional Gas Car?

Shipping a car isn't simple. Electric vehicles (EVs) add layers of complexity. As a logistics manager at AMG Transport Co., a Texas-based auto transport broker, I've coordinated thousands of moves. Nationwide vehicle shipping door to door is our game. EVs cost more to ship than gas cars. Expect 20-50% higher rates. Why? Weight, batteries, and rules. Brokers like us bridge the gap. Carriers focus on roads. We handle the rest.

Why Are EVs More Expensive to Ship Than Gas Cars?

EVs aren't just cars. They're heavier. Batteries pack pounds. Fuel cells add bulk too. Gas cars average 3,500 pounds. A Tesla Model S hits 4,800. That extra weight stresses trucks. Increases fuel burn. Drivers pay more.

Rates reflect reality. Open car carrier transport costs climb with weight. Cross-country hauls from Houston to Los Angeles? Add $300-600 for EVs.

Does Vehicle Weight Affect EV Shipping Costs?

Yes. Heavily. Carriers calculate by weight class. Heavier loads mean fewer cars per trailer. Multi-car transport for families suffers. Single EVs take space. Costs rise per mile.

What affects car shipping cost per mile? Weight tops the list. Our honest quotes factor it in. No hidden fees.

Are Battery Sizes a Factor in Pricing?

Batteries dictate everything. Bigger packs mean more weight. More risk. A Nissan Leaf's 40 kWh battery is light. Lucid Air's 118 kWh? Heavy hitter. Pricing jumps. Expect $1.50-$2.50 per mile for EVs vs $1-$2 for gas.

| Feature | Gas Car (Avg) | EV (Avg) | Cost Impact |

|------------------|---------------|--------------|-------------|

| Weight | 3,500 lbs | 4,500 lbs | +20-30% |

| Battery Risk | None | High | +10-20% |

| Transport Type | Open 80% | Enclosed 40%| +$500+ |

| Total Premium | Baseline | +$400-800 | Per Trip |

What Special Preparation Is Needed for EV Battery Safety?

Batteries hate heat. Cold. Impacts. Prep right or face delays. Fire risk is real. Lithium-ion packs can ignite if damaged.

VIN scans verify condition. We require them at pickup. Stripe deposits secure the deal. Vetted insured carriers only.

Should I Charge My EV Before Pickup?

No. Keep it low. 20-30% charge max. Full batteries risk thermal runaway. Empty ones won't start for checks. Balance it. Tell the driver.

Are There Restrictions on EV Transport?

Plenty. DOT rules limit battery damage. No lowboys for most EVs. Some states ban certain packs. FMCSA guidelines apply. Brokers know this. Carriers don't always.

Do EVs Require Enclosed Transport More Often?

Often. Dust, rain harm batteries. Open carriers expose them. Enclosed auto transport for luxury cars protects better.

Open vs Enclosed: EV Protection Needs

Open: Cheaper. Fine for gas. Risky for EVs. Debris hits vents.

Enclosed: Shields from elements. Luxury vehicle transport enclosed vs open makes sense for Teslas, Rivians. Costs double. But worth it.

Pros of open: Speed, savings.

Cons: Exposure.

Enclosed pros: Safety, paint protection.

Cons: Price, availability.

Classic car transport enclosed carrier logic applies here.

How Do Route and Carrier Availability Impact EV Shipping?

Routes matter. Carriers cluster near highways. EVs need specialists.

How long does car shipping take cross country? 7-14 days standard. EVs add 2-4 days. Rural spots worse.

Why Rural EV Pickups Take Longer

Few carriers go off-grid. Battery-equipped trucks scarce. 72-hour pickup windows stretch to 5 days. Door-to-door car shipping how it works: We dispatch fast.

Relocating to Florida? Ship car from Texas. We handle it.

Carriers avoid direct consumer deals. Non-payment risks. High charges to individuals. Brokers buffer that. We build relationships. Vetted carriers invest in our clients.

People can't access most carriers anyway. Minimum loads. No small jobs. Experienced car shipping broker you can trust? That's us.

Why Choose AMG Transport Co. for Your EV?

EVs demand expertise. We're AMG Transport Co., auto transport broker Texas proud. Parent AMG Endeavors runs carriers. We know both sides.

Stronger customer experience. Guiding light in fraud-filled industry. Reasonable rates. VIN scans. Stripe deposits. Vetted insured carriers. 72-hour pickups. Honest quotes.

Shipping a non-running vehicle? EVs included. SUVs vs sedans? We quote accurately.

Don't risk it with amateurs. Get your free quote today at https://amgtransportco.com/get-quote. We'll make it simple.

Written by Mike Matthews, Logistics Manager at AMG Transport Co.

View this article with full site experience