Start with the manual for this EV.
Coordinate model-specific loading instructions, access, charge and receiving arrangements without assuming every EV works alike.
An electric vehicle needs a transport plan that matches its model, condition and manufacturer instructions. “Put it in neutral” is not a complete loading procedure, and a generic battery percentage does not settle every manufacturer or carrier requirement.
Start with the owner’s manual and the transporter or towing guidance for the exact vehicle. Share that information with the carrier before collection. This guide is for preparing the handover; qualified transport personnel should perform loading, securement and any recovery work.
Keep these in mind
- Use the manual for the exact model and version.
- Confirm charge, access and loading arrangements with the carrier.
- Disclose damage or power loss; leave high-voltage and recovery work to qualified personnel.
Find the right instructions before assigning equipment
Confirm the model, model year and relevant version of the manual. Identify the sections covering transport, loading, tow or transport mode, and the keys or power needed to use those functions. Ask the carrier to review the instructions rather than relying on experience with a different electric car.
Tesla’s current Model 3 transporter instructions, for example, call for all four tires to remain off the ground during transport and describe Tow Mode as a limited loading or repositioning function. Ford’s Mustang Mach-E guidance also specifies transport equipment and warns against improper towing. These examples explain why the exact manual matters; they are not a procedure for every EV.
Agree on charge and access arrangements
Ask the carrier for its preparation requirements and check them against the vehicle manufacturer’s guidance. Confirm what state of charge it expects at pickup, whether charging may be needed before delivery, and who is responsible if the journey or handover changes. Avoid promising that an unfamiliar vehicle will retain a particular charge throughout the trip.
Make sure the carrier has the authorized means to unlock and operate the vehicle that the agreed procedure requires. Discuss a physical key card or key where applicable, unusual access behavior and any necessary instructions. Do not share a personal account password or leave unrelated account access open as a substitute for a proper key handover.
Treat damage or loss of power as a different problem
Tell the provider about collision damage, water exposure, battery warnings, inability to power on or any concern about the high-voltage system. A damaged or disabled EV may need a specialist assessment and a different transport arrangement. Do not attempt to disconnect high-voltage components or improvise a recovery procedure.
Also disclose ordinary loading constraints: low clearance, wheel damage, locked steering or a parking brake that cannot be released. These details matter alongside the electric powertrain. If the car’s condition changes after booking, stop relying on the original description and have the provider reassess the plan.
Prepare both ends of the trip
Create a handover note that a receiving person can actually use. Keep the manufacturer instructions available and tell the destination about any operating limitation before the truck arrives.
- Exact vehicle and the applicable manufacturer transport instructions.
- Agreed pickup charge and any charging or delay contingency.
- Authorized keys and access method, without personal account passwords.
- Known warnings, damage, loading constraints and items supplied with the car.
- Receiving contact, inspection arrangements and access to charging if needed.
Turn the instructions into a short brief
Your next step is to add the manual reference and unresolved EV-specific questions to your shipping brief, then have the chosen carrier confirm the plan. At pickup and delivery, record the vehicle’s visible condition and any relevant dashboard information without treating an ordinary walkaround as a battery-health inspection.
Sources & further reading
Reviewed November 3, 2026. Provider-specific instructions can differ; confirm your actual shipment requirements with the provider handling it.
