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Shipping an EV

Shipping an EV

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!

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Looking for a logistics company, to ship my car, from California to Illinois,my first search, then Corsia showed up, skeptical. Call and a very friendly secretary: Elena. She guided me through, I scheduled and as she explained, all when smooth as scheduled Very happy I did the right choice. I'll recommend this great Company to anyone that is thinking to relocate a vehicle. Thanks Corsia logistics for your honesty and professionalism!
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Corsia was highly recommended by a friend in the automobile industry. We needed to transport a cargo van from Seattle to Florida. We contacted Corsia who quickly arranged transport within just a few days. Communication was outstanding! Just a few email confirmations and we were all set. Mike was great and arrived right on time and delivered to Florida on schedule. Tip-avoid the hornets nest of auto brokers on line and just contact Corsia for a truly great experience!
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Corsia has been amazing. Their prices are really competitive but more importantly their customer service has been 5-Star. Elena followed up with me every step of the way, making sure there was no miscommunication between me & the driver. We are using them to ship a 2nd vehicle & would not hesitate to use them again!
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I have recently used Corsia for long time family car with sentimental value that was moved I have recently used Corsia for shipment of my vehicle from Oregon to Arizona by recommendation from other family member who also used Corsia in the past. I am very pleased on the service and the communication throughout shipment. Ken was my direct contact and kept me informed along the move The car was picked up and delivered as communicated. I did use a enclosed mover and the driver was also clean cut professional and treated car as his own. I would definitely recommend Corsia again with the experience I have had. Thank you. T
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Top notch Transport - Porsche 997 Top notch! As easy and efficient as one could possibly imagine. Great customer service.. thank you Luke. Great prices. Check. Timely communications. Check. Clean transport trailer. Check. Supremely careful driver. Check. Timely arrival. Check. Don't mess around elsewhere, just call Corsica and feel confident your transports needs are going to be exceeded. My Porsche 911 rode like a Queen in her enclosed chariot. I've never needed a transport company before, and I surely will use them every time. Do yourself a favor, seriously. Call now.
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Corsia rep (Elena) was very proactive. Helped ship a car from CA to GA. She checked in with me via email quote and several phone calls to find me the best possible quote for the fastest available service. After several communications, Corsia was able to schedule a vehicle pickup the next day. The driver communicated well, and the vehicle arrived in final destination faster than we expected in perfect condition. I highly recommend using Corsia's reliable, efficient service.
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Thanks, Corsia! Pickup was so clean, efficient, and wonderful -- my only recommendation is to make sure you schedule it during the day so you can fully review the car in the daylight. Drop off was equally wonderful, and the whole trip went down without a hitch (pun intended!). Seriously, Corsia delivered my Jeep from CT to California with no issues or bumps in the road!
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Corsia Memphis to LA, mid-size SUV. I looked at 4 different companies amd Corsia was the most responsive of them. While being responsive, they were not unduly aggressive: when I indicated that I need to wait a month before making a decision they stopped contacting me and only came back with a reminder when I really needed it. Once I decided to engage Corsia they found me a transport within two days and the car was delivered (from Memphis to LA) in another two days. I had a truly positive experience.
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Working with Corsia Logistics was a great experience. Working with Corsia Logistics was wonderful. They were able to find a driver right away to transport our car. They were in constant communication as to when the car was getting picked up and dropped off. The driver also communicated with me as to when he would arrive. I would highly recommend Corsia Logistics.
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Corsia was an excellent company to work with while I transferred my car across the US. A friend of mine suggested I use them as they had been very organized and trustworthy with her own car. I researched a few different place but decided to go with Corsia and I'm so glad I did! Any questions I had throughout the process they answered quickly and clearly. I would definitely use them again in the future and recommend them for others to use.
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