Electric vehicles have long been identified as one of the solutions to the rise of mobility energy consumption. They are one of the key technologies that will help reduce future emissions.
Are you a proud owner of an electric car or plan to become one? If you need to ship your newly bought or existing EV and not sure how to go about it, you are not alone.
When it comes to transporting EVs, there are a few differences from shipping regular cars. In this post, we will go over all these differences to help you figure out how EV auto transport works.
Shipping an EV vs shipping a regular car
EV’s batteries have to be fully charged
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), vehicles are required to have their gas tanks empty when in transit. Well, not exactly empty.
As you know, when you ship a regular car, you have to leave the gas tank ¼ full. The shipping company will have to drive the car short distances to load and unload it on the carrier.
With electric vehicles, the story is completely different. Instead of a gas tank, they have batteries that need to be fully charged to hold through transportation.
The more you charge the batteries, the better
With regular cars, the fuller the gas tank, the more your vehicle will weigh. The more it weighs, the more it will cost to transport. With EVs, it is not the same. The weight of their batteries will not change depending on the charge. In fact, the more their batteries are charged, the better.
EVs weigh more than regular cars
The main reason why electric cars are so heavy is due to the weight of their battery. Batteries are the power source of electric cars. They also require a charger, inverter, and motor. All these add up when it comes to the total weight of the car.
According to EV Archive, “Electric cars are heavier than their gas competitors. The batteries which are the power source of the electric car weigh more than a gas tank and provide less range. A crucial point to make is that the gas tank gets lighter as fuel has been used, this is not the case for batteries. The electric motor of an electric car is a lot lighter than an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), but there are additional parts required in an electric car like a charger and inverter.”
EVs shipping cost can be higher
The weight of a car is one of the main factors that can influence the shipping cost of any vehicle. The heavier the car, the more it will cost to transport.
As we have mentioned above, the batteries add a lot to the total weight of the car. It means that EVs are usually heavier than regular cars, which can reflect in a higher shipping price. Keep that in mind when you request quotes.
EVs require special precautions when in transit
Whether shipping companies are transporting a regular car, a hybrid, or an EV, it is their job to pay extra attention to every type of vehicle. But when it comes to EVs in particular, auto transporters have to take special precautions.
Shipping lithium-ion battery packs comes with some risks. Therefore, auto transport companies may need extra equipment to move these types of cars.
Lithium-ion batteries are often classified as “dangerous goods” as well. That is why on top of extra care, shipping EVs also requires special precautions.
10 Helpful EV shipping tips
- Clean and wash your electric car
- Take photos of it and note any existing damages
- Carry out a maintenance check to be on the safe side
- Empty the vehicle and remove any valuables before shipping
- Tighten or remove loose parts
- Fully charge the car’s battery
- Prepare an extra set of keys to give to the carrier driver
- Deactivate automatic toll passes
- Disable the alarm system in case you have one
- Check limits of the insurance coverage
To read about all these tips in detail, check out our tips to successfully ship your car across the state lines.
The birth and re-birth of EVs
The first electric vehicles came to life in the mid-19th century. The first fully electric car was developed in the 1830s. Back then electricity was the driving force of a motor vehicle. Compared to cars that used gasoline at the time, electric vehicles provided a higher level of comfort.
In the 21st century, the demand for EVs has surged anew. Thanks to technological advancements, electric cars experienced a rebirth. Especially since the focus on renewable energy has also been increasing. The interest in EVs has been growing ever since.
Electric cars are also a suitable instrument when it comes to building a sustainable future in the mobility sector. According to a report by CBInsights, “Electric vehicles are expected to increase from 2% of the global share in 2016 to 22% in 2030.” CB Insights analyzed emerging auto and mobility trends using their NExTT framework.
Popular EV Models
We have already talked about Tesla and BMW i Series. But what are some other popular electric car models? Let’s have a look!
- Nissan LEAF
- Mercedes-Benz B-Class
- Ford Focus Electric
- Chevrolet Spark EV
- Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Electric cars are not only the most environmentally friendly option, but they are also practical and easy to drive. It is true that they take longer to charge, but EVs are inexpensive to run. Therefore, they can cost you way less in the long run.
We at Corsia Logistics would be happy to ship your EV from Texas to New York, Florida to Colorado, or anywhere else in the US. We can successfully arrange transport to every US state as well as internationally.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. You can write, chat, or call us at (818) 850-5258. It will be much easier for you to understand the shipping process and get clear answers to all your questions. Thank you!
