Just 10 years back electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids were somewhat of a niche. Nowadays they’re the new gold standard! With their high-tech engines, phenomenal gas mileage (or zero in the case of pure electric), and their intense appeal, it’s no wonder more and more people are choosing these vehicles. And now that EVs and hybrids are starting to take off in popularity throughout the United States, the need to get them transported safely and reliably is growing rapidly.
Hybrid vehicle transport isn’t as simple as shipping a regular work, in the same way as you wouldn’t ship fine works of art without proper preparation and care.
To make sure your sophisticated EV or hybrid arrives at its destination in the same condition it left in, you need an experienced auto shipper with plenty of references. That’s where companies like Preowned Auto Logistics come in. PAL understands the many factors you need to be aware of to ensure safe delivery of your high-tech vehicle. So, sit back, relax, and let experts take you through everything you need to know regarding electric or hybrid vehicle transport.
How EV and Hybrid Car Shipping Works
The process for shipping an electric or hybrid car is much the same as for a gasoline-powered car. However, there are some critical differences to be aware of, particularly regarding the vehicle’s battery, weight, and special features.
Transport preparations
Proper preparation for hybrid or EV car shipping is vital to ensure a smooth transport experience. Pay special attention to these three considerations in the time leading up to your shipping date:
Ideal battery charge level
It’s a common misconception that you should leave your car’s battery fully charged before shipping it. In fact, the ideal battery charge level for transport is between 40% and 50%. A dead battery presents problems for the driver handling the haul because they cannot move your vehicle.
A full charge may, for some electric car transport companies, present problems along the route if weather changes have the vehicle’s battery overheat when it’s been in a hot, sunny spot on a long haul. A battery charge level of half will still leave plenty of charge for the driver to load and unload your car multiple times if necessary and eliminates the possibility of safety issues as noted above.
Providing correct vehicle details
Electric and hybrid vehicles typically weigh much more than gasoline-powered vehicles due to their batteries. That said, you aren’t the one who needs to worry about weight calculations. This is why it’s critical to provide accurate make and model information to your shipping company. Auto transport companies must comply with maximum weight allocations per axle on trucks, as well as maximum weight limits for the entire truck. Your company contacts you with the correct transport for your vehicle and explains how they determined the “trailer configuration” if you ask.
Last-minute prep work
As you would do with any other car you’re shipping, do a final prep the day of or before shipping your hybrid or electric vehicle. Make sure:
- You have removed all valuables and personal items from your car.
- The vehicle’s tires are properly inflated.
- Note any existing scrapes or scratches on the Bill of Lading document.
Picking your shipping options
You will have the same options for delivery temperature as you do when shipping a gasoline-powered vehicle. However, there are differences when selecting a transport method. For example:
Open transport shipping option
In an open carrier, your vehicle is transported on an open-air, two-deck trailer that can carry anywhere from two to ten vehicles. This is the same transport method that drivers of new cars use most of the time when they drive on or off an interstate. There’s no guaranteed protection from the elements or road debris. Open transport is typically the most economical option.
Enclosed is a transport shipping option.
With enclosed carrier transport, your vehicle is shipped inside an enclosed trailer. It is the best option for transporting a hybrid or electric vehicle if you are concerned about protecting it from the effects of the weather, road debris, and rocks during transit. While this option costs noticeably more, for new cars and high-end luxury or classic cars, it comes with peace of mind. You can choose enclosed auto transport for EVs.
Door-to-door delivery
It is the most common option, whether you choose it for your hybrid car or pick a door-to-door EV transport service. A driver will deliver your vehicle as close as the destination permits, legally and safely. If the truck carrying a large auto carrier doesn’t fit down your street, the driver will comment and can meet you at a nearby location that has room (a large shopping mall parking lot, etc.) or discuss other options.
Key Differences When Shipping an EV or Hybrid
You may find yourself wondering if there is a difference between shipping these vehicles compared to the average gasoline-powered car. To answer your question: yes, but shipping an electric vehicle is straightforward when done by a professional EV car shipping carrier.
Experts in EV transport understand the needs of these vehicles and know how to ship your car without incident. EV car shipping is a professional service that takes specialized skills to ensure that your unique vehicle is delivered in the same condition it was picked up in.
Understanding the difference in shipping electric vehicles will ease your mind, whether you are relocating across the country or purchasing a luxury vehicle online. Preowned Auto Logistics offers electric car shipping services that address the care of battery systems, the physical aspects of your vehicle, and the logistics of delivery.
What’s Different About Shipping an EV?
While car shipping is fundamentally transport from point A to point B, long-distance electric car transport or safe hybrid car delivery requires specialized services catering to some key factors. An experienced carrier understands exactly how to manage these differences when handling your investment.
High-voltage battery safety and care
The most significant difference between your electric vehicle and its gasoline-powered counterpart is the high-voltage battery pack that powers the car. Therefore, handling your vehicle in transit with safety precautions regarding the battery system takes precedence when shipping hybrid vehicles. Drivers are trained to do the following during the transport process:
Manage state of charge: For safety reasons, we recommend that your vehicle have between 25% and 50% of its maximum state of charge before pickup. Shipping with a full or near-full battery is not recommended. This amount allows for ample energy to drive on and off during loading and unloading while minimizing cross-country drain on the battery. This recommendation regarding the battery percentage is a fire safety best practice in compliance with US Department of Transportation regulations.
Inspect the batteries for damage: Drivers inspect battery covers for any visible damage or signs of leaking before the vehicle can be loaded onto the transport truck. This approach is in line with the standards required for battery safety during transport. A damaged battery casing or an active leak indicates that a vehicle cannot be trucked until repairs are made.
Comply with necessary handling protocol: Careful handling is critical to avoid lateral or vertical stress on battery systems. Understanding the best way to drive a vehicle up a ramp without using its brakes and proper approaches for securing the vehicle on the transport truck are just a couple of examples of procedures that drivers learn to ensure no stress is put on battery packs.
Weight and low ground clearance
Due to their weight, EVs tend to be oversized when compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. Additionally, many electric vehicles have low ground clearance due to their body design, which affects handling and aerodynamics. Because of this, specialized equipment and expertise are essential.
Standard transport trucks are designed to accommodate vehicles of specific weights. Because EVs weigh significantly more than gasoline-powered cars, a carrier that can accommodate the tonnage is needed. That’s where PAL comes in. Preowned Auto Logistics’ network can safely transport electric vehicles and hybrids.
Likewise, carriers possess the experience needed to load low-clearance vehicles with the right approach and sloped technique to avoid scraping the bottom of a vehicle upon loading. For high-ground-clearance vehicles, the open transport option is the best and most economical. For low-clearance, high-value, or sport models, enclosed auto transport for electric vehicles is the right choice.
Battery functionality upon delivery
Getting your car delivered in a drivable condition optimally begins with preparing the vehicle for transport. The 25% to 50% battery percentage is generally enough energy for the driver to load the car at pick-up and for the customer to drive it a short distance to the nearest charger upon delivery. Arranging for out-of-charge-range drop-off is the final element of preparing for seamless hybrid car delivery.
The process to safely ship EVs and hybrid vehicles
Preowned Auto Logistics has a process in place for a streamlined shipment that caters specifically to electric vehicle transport.
PAL offers flexible solutions involving start-to-finish logistics planning, such as door-to-door EV transport. They pick up vehicles at a location address and deliver them directly to the destination address. No terminal drop-off is needed, as is the case with terminal-to-terminal service. Regardless of the distance involved with your electric car transport, you can have them delivered right to your front door.
PAL’s goal is your convenience, and they deliver it without fail. From beginning to end, the Preowned Auto Logistics electric vehicle shipping process ensures every driver is background checked, trained, and equipped with the necessary skills to transport the vehicle types safely.
Shipping an electric or hybrid vehicle is a specialty service. So, are you ready to book your EV transport service? Contact PAL’s team today for a free EV transport quote with a no-obligation consultation. Let their EV transport experts handle the details.
Pros and Cons of Shipping an EV or Hybrid Vehicle
Hiring professional electric vehicle transport services has its own specific pros and cons. Let’s explore what you need to factor into your decision.
Electric vehicle shipping advantages
One primary advantage of shipping your hybrid vehicle is to promote your convenience by avoiding a long drive across the country. Choosing long-distance electric vehicle transport takes the guesswork out of measuring your range ahead of time and minimizes the burden of stops necessary for recharging on a set schedule.
Additionally, it also reduces the inevitable wear and tear on your automobile from unintended projectiles and river rocks, rainstorms and blizzards, and vehicular road hazards, thereby contributing to a better resale value in minimizing undue destruction on your automobile to preserve your car’s resale value.
Thus shipping also protects your financial investment and is time efficient. To keep your vehicle even safer from weather, many also choose closed auto transport for electric vehicles. This service delivers a car in pristine condition as it begins its journey.
Disadvantages of electric vehicle shipping
On the downside, there are a few potential drawbacks. First, hybrid and electric cars have more weight than comparable combustion engine vehicles due to carrying batteries. The extra heft means that the cost of shipping your vehicle may increase slightly.
Secondly, these vehicles come with specific instructions for transportation. You need to be certain that you select a carrier experienced in understanding battery-related safety requirements during shipment and arrival.
Preowned Auto Logistics simplifies EV or hybrid car transport.
Preowned Auto Logistics understands the format of electric vehicle transport logistics and, therefore, chooses trucks outfitted with an underutilized technology to provide effective delivery of your hybrid vehicle. They have equipment that permits the adequate empowerment of carrier straps for electric vehicle shipment. Trained carriers know how to adjust, orient, and position the straps not on the battery housing or protective panels to secure all vehicles in hybrid car delivery.”
Tips for Preparing Your Electric or Hybrid Car for Shipping
Please follow these recommended steps to prepare your hybrid or electric vehicle for transport, ensuring a smooth shipping process:
- Ensure the battery is at a partial state of charge: Vehicles should have a charge between 30% and 50%. This is the safest level for transporting EVs and hybrids.
- Deactivate service alarms: Ensure no alarms or alert notifications are activated. It is also important to unplug all accessories and remove charging cables from the vehicle.
- Perform a general inspection: Examine the tire condition, tread depth, sidewall, and inflation. Inspect the vehicle exterior, body, and lights. Look for leaks or corrosion. Check the overall condition of the battery and hybrid electrical components.
Shipping Your Electric Vehicle or Hybrid Car from Preowned Auto Logistics
Why EV & Hybrid Owners Trust Preowned Auto Logistics
Here’s why so many electric car owners trust Preowned Auto Logistics with their vehicle shipment:
- Tailored shipping services: Preowned Auto Logistics’ drivers are specially trained to safely load and unload EV and hybrid vehicles, including working with delicate battery and fuel source placements.
- Special arrangements: Choose an enclosed or open carrier truck to protect your car’s exterior from chips and scratches, ensuring it arrives in pristine condition.
- Ship with confidence: You’ll receive consistent communication through the entire process because you deserve to know the status of your shipment, and we take your vehicle’s safety seriously.
Conclusion
Selecting a transport company that offers specialized services and has the expertise to handle the intricacies of electric vehicles or hybrid cars is critical. Knowledge and experience about your vehicle will ensure a safe and successful transport.
We recommend scheduling your EV or hybrid transport in advance. Taking steps to schedule your transport early will save time and stress. Preparing a list of questions about your specific electric vehicle or hybrid transport is always a beneficial idea. Your high-tech vehicle deserves the best.
For safe and certified EV and hybrid car shipping solutions, please contact Preowned Auto Logistics today.
