Electric Cars Present New Challenges for Shipping Companies
Cars are shipped from automakers to dealerships, and sometimes to customers. They're also shipped to tracks, repair shops, testing facilities and from one dealer to another. The business of shipping cars is a $10.1 billion industry in the U.S. annually, according to IBISWorld estimates.
Shipping electric vehicles presents a fresh level of challenges for the industry. "Shipping an EV is pretty similar to shipping a traditional gas-powered vehicle, but there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, EVs are heavier because of their batteries, so they may require different equipment or command higher prices from transporters. The U.S. has regulations for how much weight a transporter can have on their trailer, and EVs can limit the number of other cars that can be hauled on the same trip," Nathan Reid, CEO of uShip Logistics, told Newsweek.
uShip Logistics is a subsidiary of uShip, the world's largest online shipping marketplace.
New electric vehicle sales accounted for 7.5 percent of all new vehicle sales in the first three months of 2025, up from 7 percent in 2024.
A man prepares to tow a vehicle.
A man prepares to tow a vehicle.
iStock
With more electric vehicles on the market today, the used EV market is picking up steam. A July report by Recurrent found that used EVs are selling quickly and the price paid for them is constant.
Some are shipping new EVs, others send new-to-them EVs and still others are shipping their electron-powered cars instead of driving them when they're moving houses.
"It's a mix," Reid said. "Many people shipping EVs are in the middle of a move and want to avoid driving their cars across the country. We also see a growing number of people buying and selling EVs online, especially as more used models hit the market.
"Additionally, we have dealers who use us to move inventory between locations or directly to customers. Plus, a growing number of seasonal travelers are shipping their EVs between winter and summer homes to avoid wear and tear or adding additional miles to their vehicles."
Shipping an EV requires some special considerations for owners. "Those shipping an EV will also want to make sure the battery is charged to a safe level (usually around 20-30 percent) before pickup. While long-haul charging isn't usually needed, carriers should be made aware of it so they can plan for it if necessary," Reid said.
For shippers, there are other challenges. "EV batteries are classified as hazardous materials, so carriers have to follow specific guidelines, especially for long hauls or international moves. For example, they need to be trained on battery safety and sometimes need special equipment in case of overheating," Reid said.
Reid's company is actively working to adapt to the increasing EV shipping market by shoring up its connections to experienced EV shippers, a move designed to instill confidence in shippers and ensure proper transport.
"We're improving our tools so it's easier for shippers to find EV-experienced carriers. We're also working on educational content to help both shippers and carriers understand what's different about EV transport," Reid said.
"In the longer term, we're considering partnerships with EV marketplaces and dealerships to make shipping part of the buying process. We want to be the first place people turn when they need to move an EV," he said.
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