Thousands of electric vehicle shipments are handled by auto transport companies every year. The 2024 Tesla Model Y has emerged as one of the most commonly transported electric vehicles in the United States. A recent transport of the electric vehicle from Springfield, Virginia to Pearl, Mississippi illustrates how efficiently electric vehicles can be transported by car transport companies.
Springfield to Pearl: The Route Details
The transport route spanned around 1,050 miles. The customer placed the order on January 13th, with the first available date set on January 22nd. The notification for the carrier assignment was received on January 29th. The pickup took place the following day on January 30th, and the Tesla reached its destination in Mississippi on February 2nd. The entire transport process took only three days from the time of pickup to delivery. This is well within the transport standards for medium-distance routes. Open trailer transport proved to be the most economical method for this particular vehicle.
Why This Route Worked Well
The route from Springfield to Pearl includes busy shipping routes. Interstate roads facilitate the connection between these two places in a smooth way. However, alternative routes using state roads require one or two days due to lower speed limits and increased stops. Truckers carry cars along these routes, and therefore it becomes easier to find them quickly. The January schedule helped in avoiding peak season constraints. Spring and autumn are peak seasons for car transport services. These seasons increase costs by $100-$150. Bookings for these seasons take weeks, while bookings for winter seasons take a shorter time due to low movement.
The open transport option speeds up the timeline. Enclosed trucks carry fewer cars and have limited schedules, adding two to three days to the delivery time because they account for only 10% of the carriers. Open trucks offer faster services because they are the majority and fill up their capacity faster.
Electric Vehicle Transport Considerations
The Model Y was transported on an open trailer along with other cars traveling in the same direction.
Open transport is a more affordable option compared to enclosed transport. This is because more cars are transported at one time. This mode is appropriate for new electric cars like the Model Y, which do not need extra precautions against weather conditions. Modern open trailers are equipped with top-class tie-down systems for proper car security.
There are also certain steps that have to be prepared when shipping an electric vehicle. The charge of the battery is more significant than most people think. The charge of the battery should be between 45 and 65 percent when shipping an EV. This is because it should have enough charge to allow the driver to load and unload the vehicle. This also ensures that there is no overheating of the lithium-ion battery, which can occur when fully charged and then transported. The driver should be able to move the EV on and off the trailer at both pickup and delivery sites.
Weight also plays a significant part when shipping any vehicle. Electric cars are heavier than most gasoline cars due to their battery packs. A 2024 Tesla Model Y weighs 4,400 pounds. This is well within the average weight range of most SUVs and does not necessarily incur extra shipping fees. Auto transport carriers who have experience shipping cars are also aware of how to handle EVs. This is because most of them have probably handled hundreds or thousands of EVs by now.
The Growing Electric Vehicle Market
The use of electric vehicles is on the rise in the United States. According to the International Energy Agency, electric vehicles will make up 25% of all car sales in 2025. This is directly affecting the car transport industry.
Tesla models are common on transport routes connecting large cities. The Model Y is one of the best-selling Tesla models. It is one of the most sought-after models due to its range, capacity, and affordability.
Increased transport of electric vehicles has led to the development of efficient ways of transporting these vehicles. Five years ago, there were concerns about transporting electric vehicles. This is now common practice.
Transport Summary
- Origin: Springfield, VA 22151
- Destination: Pearl, MS 39208
- Vehicle type and condition: 2024 Tesla Model Y (Operable, electric vehicle)
- Distance: Approximately 1,050 miles
- Primary routes: I-66 W to I-81 S through Virginia; I-81 S through Tennessee; I-40 W; I-55 S into Mississippi to Pearl area
- Trailer type: Open trailer
- Season: Late January (winter)
- Total transit time: 3 days
- Price: $1,800 ($1.71 per mile)
