What is Tesla Transport Mode and how do I enable it?

Transport Mode reduces battery drain and disables certain systems while the vehicle is on the carrier. Your pre-ship checklist includes step-by-step menu navigation. Enable Transport Mode, disable Sentry Mode, and clear the frunk before pickup.

Can you ship a Rivian R1T or R1S safely?

Yes. Rivian trucks require soft-strap loading and air-suspension transport-height preparation. Our carrier filter matches operators with Rivian-specific handling experience on your route.

Is soft-strap loading available for Lucid Air?

Yes. Lucid Air low-clearance underbody and battery placement require soft-strap wheel nets — never chain loading on the chassis. Enclosed transport is commonly recommended for Lucid Air on cross-country routes.

What happens to an EV battery during cold-weather transport?

In Transport Mode the battery management system is largely inactive during transit. Cold-weather routes may add modest seasonal pricing; your specialist notes any lane-specific guidance at booking.

How much does it cost to ship a Tesla?

Tesla Model 3/Y open: from ~$560 on short routes to $900–$1,500 coast-to-coast. Model S open: $600–$1,600 coast-to-coast (+$50–$100 EV filter). Model S Plaid enclosed: $1,200–$2,200 coast-to-coast. Quotes are held for 48 hours.

EV-Certified Carrier on Every ShipmentTesla Transport Mode GuidanceSoft-Strap Loading — No ChainsModel-Specific Pre-Ship ChecklistPrice Held for 48 Hours

EV Shipping · Tesla · Rivian · Lucid

Electric Vehicle Shipping — Tesla, Rivian, Lucid & All EV Models

Ship your EV with carriers who actually know your model. EV-certified carriers, battery charge protocols, Tesla Transport Mode guidance, soft-strap loading, and a model-specific checklist on every shipment.

We wait up to 24 hours for the right EV carrier instead of assigning a generic transporter.

EV-certified carrier required
Soft-strap loading (no chains)
Model-specific pre-ship checklist
Tesla Transport Mode guidance
Rivian air-suspension prep
Lucid Air low-clearance handling

Get Your Locked-In EV shipping Quote

Model-specific quote in 30 minutes · No obligation · 48-hour price hold

4.9★ from 487 EV Owners
EV-Certified Carriers Only
Soft-Strap Loading Standard
Tesla · Rivian · Lucid · Lightning
Model-Specific Checklist

THE BASICS

What IsEV Shipping— And Is It Safe for the Battery?

Does shipping an electric vehicle damage the battery? No — when shipped correctly, the battery arrives in the same condition it left. But many standard auto transport companies do not follow proper EV handling protocols. EV shipping requires specialized loading, battery charge prep, soft-strap handling, and carrier experience because EVs like Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, Ford Lightning, and Silverado EV have different weight distribution and underbody battery placement than gas vehicles.

Models we ship:

Tesla Model 3 · Model Y
Tesla Model S · Model X
Rivian R1T · R1S
Lucid Air
Ford F-150 Lightning
Chevy Silverado EV

Every shipment includes EV-certified carriers, model-specific protocols, Transport Mode guidance where required, and honest open vs enclosed recommendations based on your specific model, route, and protection needs.

WHY CARSHIPPERS.AI

Why EV Owners ChooseCarShippers.ai

EV-Certified Carrier Network

Our carrier filter requires verified EV handling experience — battery charge protocol knowledge, Tesla Transport Mode familiarity, and soft-strap loading standards. Carriers without EV certification are excluded from EV shipments, even if it means waiting up to 24 hours for the right carrier.

Model-Specific Pre-Ship Checklists

Before pickup, you receive a checklist tailored to your specific EV — battery charge recommendations, Tesla Transport Mode steps, Sentry Mode instructions, frunk/trunk clearance, and air suspension preparation for Rivian and Lucid models.

Soft-Strap Loading Protection

Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid vehicles often have low ground clearance and underbody battery packs. Soft-straps secure the wheels rather than the chassis, helping protect the battery enclosure and underside components during loading and transport.

Honest Open vs Enclosed Recommendations

Model 3, Y, Lightning, Silverado EV, and standard Rivian configurations commonly ship safely on open carriers. Model S Plaid, Lucid Air, and premium configurations are often better suited for enclosed. We recommend based on your model — not to upsell.

— How it works

How EV Shipping Works

Tell Us Your EV's Make, Model & Year

Select Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, Ford Lightning, Chevy Silverado EV, or any other EV. The quote automatically identifies model-specific considerations including Transport Mode requirements, Rivian air-suspension prep, and Lucid Air low-clearance loading guidance.

Get Matched With an EV-Certified Carrier

Our system filters carrier availability by verified EV transport experience, soft-strap loading capability, and route availability. Once matched, you receive a model-specific preparation checklist covering charge, Transport Mode, Sentry, and additional handling notes.

Prepare, Ship & Track in Real Time

Complete the pre-shipping checklist before pickup — charge level, Transport Mode activation where required, cargo area clearance. Your EV is loaded using EV-safe soft-straps and monitored throughout transit with live tracking updates.

Booking takes minutes — not days of phone tag.

TRANSPARENT PRICING

EV Shipping Cost & Pricing Examples

The price you see is the price you pay. No surprise carrier upgrades. Pricing is held for 48 hours from quote.

EXAMPLE ROUTES

~380 mi · open · EV-certifiedLos Angeles → San Francisco · Tesla Model 3From $560

~2,800 mi · open · +$50–$100 EV filterCoast-to-Coast · Tesla Model S — Open$600 – $1,600

~2,800 mi · enclosed · +30–50% enclosedCoast-to-Coast · Model S Plaid — Enclosed$1,200 – $2,200

~2,800 mi · open · +$50–$150 soft-strap + airCoast-to-Coast · Rivian R1T / R1S — Open$600 – $1,700

~2,800 mi · enclosed · enclosed strongly recommendedCoast-to-Coast · Lucid Air — Enclosed$1,400 – $2,400

~2,800 mi · open · +$50–$100 weight + EVCoast-to-Coast · F-150 Lightning — Open$600 – $1,700

EV TRANSPORT PREMIUM VS STANDARD

Distance Band	Avg $/Mile (Open)	Typical Use Case
Open · standard EV (Model 3/Y, Lightning, Silverado EV)	Standard open + $0–$100	Cost-effective default on most routes
Open · low-clearance / air-suspension EV (R1T, R1S, S)	+$50–$150 over standard	Soft-strap and air-suspension protocol required
Enclosed · premium EV (S Plaid, Lucid Air, premium R1T)	+30–50% over open	High-value cross-country shipments

WHAT AFFECTS YOUR EXACT PRICE

EV model, size, and vehicle weight
Open vs enclosed transport selection
EV-certified carrier availability on your route
Seasonal demand and weather conditions
Soft-strap and specialty loading requirements
Air-suspension preparation (Rivian / Lucid)
Low-clearance loading equipment
Battery charge level coordination

Premium EV (S Plaid, Lucid Air)? Consider enclosed and — better protection against weather, debris, and low-clearance loading risks on cross-country routes..

COMPARE

Standard Open vs EV-Certified Shipping

Feature	STANDARD CARRIER	EV-CERTIFIED
Loading	Standard straps (any carrier)	Soft-strap only · wheel nets
Battery protocol	Not coordinated	Charge level + Transport Mode guidance
Carrier pool	Any open carrier	EV-certified only (15–20% of pool)
Premium	Base rate	+$0–$150 open · +30–50% enclosed
Best for	Gas vehicles	Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, Lightning, all EVs
Air suspension	Not handled	Pre-ship guidance included

EV-certified carriers cost only marginally more than standard open — but for vehicles with underbody battery packs and low clearance, the protocol difference matters.

READY TO SHIP

Ship Your EV With Carriers Who Actually Understand EVs

Battery charge protocols, Tesla Transport Mode guidance, soft-strap loading, air-suspension preparation, and a model-specific checklist on every shipment.

EV-Certified Only
Soft-Strap Standard
Model-Specific Checklist
Transport Mode Guidance
48-Hour Price Hold

Does shipping damage the EV battery?

No. When proper EV shipping procedures are followed, the battery remains safe during transport. EV-certified carriers follow battery-safe loading and transport throughout the shipment.

What battery charge before pickup?

We recommend keeping your EV battery between 20% and 50% before transport. This level is ideal for loading, unloading, and transport safety.

Open or enclosed for my EV?

Most Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Rivian, and Ford Lightning shipments travel safely on open. Premium EVs like Lucid Air and Tesla Model S Plaid are commonly recommended for enclosed.

FAQ

Electric Vehicle Shipping FAQs

No. When proper EV shipping procedures are followed, the battery remains safe during transport. EV-certified carriers follow battery-safe loading and transport procedures throughout the shipment.

For businesses

Corporate EV Fleet Shipping & Relocation

As companies transition to EV fleets, scalable transport for recurring relocations, dealer moves, and multi-vehicle EV dispatch.

BENEFITS

Set Up EV Fleet Account

OTHER SERVICES

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Auction shippingManheim · Copart · ADESA · IAAI. Volume pricing from shipment 1.

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Dealership deliveryDealer-to-customer last-mile. Condition handoff. batch dispatch.

Rental fleet logisticsSeasonal repositioning. 50–500+ unit batches. batch dispatch.

Ship Your EV WithConfidence

EV-certified carriers, soft-strap loading, model-specific protocols, and an honest open-vs-enclosed recommendation for your exact vehicle.

No Hidden Fees
No Upfront Payment
Fully Insured Carriers
Expert-Verified Quotes