If you’re about to make a long-distance move and you want to take your electric car with you, you might want to consider talking to car shipping companies to transport your vehicle. Shipping your vehicle is a more convenient alternative to driving it from your old house to your new home. Below are some tips on how to move your electric car.
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1. Hire a Car Shipping Company
First, look for car shipping companies, also known as auto transport companies, or transport brokers in your area. You may want to get multiple price quotes to see which one offers the best pricing and services.
While doing your search, you may encounter two types of companies: car shipping companies and transport brokers. Car shipping companies are the ones to directly handle the transport of your electric car, from loading at pickup to unloading at drop off. They are experts at handling vehicles and choosing the best routes to make sure you get your vehicle within schedule.
On the other hand, transport brokers do not handle the shipment itself, but they work with multiple car shippers to give you the best service available more quickly. Some shippers do not engage with customers directly, so you can only reach them through a partner transport broker.
The main advantage of using a transport broker is that you don’t have to calculate and compare yourself. They will do the legwork for you to come up with a single quote that matches your requirements.
2. Only Work With Licensed Companies
Ideally, you would want to get the best prices for the best services from your auto shipping company. Even so, ensure that you’re only dealing with reputable companies with the necessary permits and licenses to avoid running into issues. Also, check if the company has adequate insurance coverage.
You can check if your chosen auto broker or carrier has a license with the Department of Transport’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Use the FMCSA website to validate the company’s registration.
3. Choose Between Open and Enclosed Transport
There are two ways to ship your electric car: open and enclosed transport. With open transport, the truck is open on both sides, exposing it to the elements, such as direct sunlight, wind, and rain, that can cause damage to the exterior. Open trucks usually carry ten or more vehicles in one trip.
Meanwhile, enclosed transport uses enclosed trailers carrying fewer vehicles than open trucks. Your car is safe from outside elements because of the sealed trailer. You may consider this option safer and more secure, but it’s around 40% more expensive than open transport. Most clients use this option for luxury vehicles, custom cars with low ground clearance, or antique cars.
4. Get Your Car Ready for Transport
The first thing you need to do when moving your electric car to another place, especially to another state, is to prepare all the necessary documents for the transport. Ensure that you comply with the destination’s regulations and secure all permits before the move. Don’t forget about getting the required insurance.
Before transporting your vehicle, clean it and clear all unnecessary items inside. Shipping companies provide liability insurance, but it only covers the car itself and not what’s inside it. Remove all your belongings from the interior and trunk.
You may also document the car’s condition by taking pictures before and after the transport is completed. This way, you’ll have photo evidence if you suspect that it sustained damage in transit. You can also have it checked by a mechanic who’s experienced with electric cars. You may need to go online to find one if you can’t find someone within your vicinity.
5. Alternative: Hire a Driver
You may be one of those owners who went electric because you want to lessen your impact on the environment. If that’s the case, you may reject the idea of using a shipping company because they still use transport trucks that run on petrol. There have been significant advances in the development of electric transport trucks, but they’re still not the norm among auto transport companies.
Your other option is to hire a professional driver who can move your car for you. Over the past years, electric vehicle chargers have grown in numbers, so you don’t have to worry about your vehicle getting stranded.
Several companies provide driving services. You can also hire an independent driver or someone you know to drive the car for you. If you use a driveaway service, inquire about their insurance coverage before hiring them to ensure that your vehicle will be safe.
While hiring a driver to take your electric car from one state to another will be the greener option, it will cost significantly higher than using a shipping service. Keep this in mind when you’re weighing your options on how to transport your electric car.
The Bottom Line
These tips are just a few of the things you need to know about moving an electric car with you. Depending on what you think is the most important aspect of your move, you may choose any of the methods above to transport your vehicle. In the end, the important thing is that you can bring along your electric vehicle safely and securely to your new home and continue to use it as you begin a new life there.
