Electric Car Transport – Compare costs, read tips & tricks

Electric vehicle transportation is growing explosively in the Netherlands. With more than 600,000 electric cars on the road and growing exports to foreign countries, there is increasing demand for specialized transport. Based on actual quotes through Transportscanner, this article offers a complete guide with real prices, practical tips and essential points to consider when transporting electric vehicles safely.

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EV Transportation costs

Below is an overview of typical electric car routes to and from the Netherlands. This gives a rough idea of costs. The final cost always depends on the specific situation. We therefore always recommend requesting one or more quotes from our network.

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Electric Car Transport

Vehicle & RouteLowest QuoteHighest QuoteAverage
BMW i3 Enschede → Voorburg€350 incl. VAT€496 incl. VAT€420
Mercedes B250e Hagen → Tubbergen€375 incl. VAT€697 incl. VAT€535
Audi e-tron Zwaag → Oostrum€350 incl. VAT€500 incl. VAT€425

International Electric Car Transport

Vehicle & RouteLowest QuoteHighest QuoteAverage
Tesla Model S Heiloo → Spain€650 incl. VAT€2795 incl. VAT€1575
Tesla Model 3 Venray → Barcelona€875 incl. VAT€3388 incl. VAT€2045
Tesla Model 3 Heiloo → France€543 incl. VAT€1000 incl. VAT€770
Tesla Model 3 Heiloo → Austria€1168 incl. VAT€1850 incl. VAT€1510

Electric Scooters & Motorcycles

Vehicle & RouteLowest QuoteHighest QuoteAverage
Electric scooter regional€241 incl. VAT€599 incl. VAT€345
2x Spyder Wheelz e-chopper€250 incl. VAT€315 incl. VAT€285

*All prices including VAT, based on actual bids through Transport Scanner in 2024-2025

Why Such Large Price Differences?

The tables above show significant price differences for similar transports. A Tesla Model S to Spain ranged from €650 to €2795 – more than 4x difference! This is due to several factors:

Type of Transportation:

  • Driving transportation: Cheapest option (€650 for Tesla to Spain)
  • Open car transporter: Mid-price (€1390-1870 for Tesla to Spain)
  • Closed transport: Most expensive option (€2500-2795 for Tesla to Spain)

Service Level:

  • Combined transport: car is combined with other vehicles
  • Direct delivery: Excluding transportation, more expensive but faster
  • Urgency: “Can be loaded as soon as possible” costs 20-50% extra

Transportation Methods for Electric Vehicles

1. Driving Transport

The most cost-effective method where a driver picks up and delivers the electric car while driving.

Suitable for: Functional electric cars with sufficient range
Benefits: Lowest cost, immediate delivery
Disadvantages: Mileage increases depending on charging infrastructure
Price example: Tesla Model S to Spain for €650

2. Open Car Transporter

The car is transported on an open trailer, visible but protected from road use.

Suitable for: Regular electric cars, including non-driving ones
Advantages: No wear, suitable for defective vehicles
Disadvantages: Exposed to weather conditions
Price example: Tesla Model 3 to Barcelona for €1350-1870

3. Closed Transport

Fully protected transport in enclosed trailer, ideal for exclusive or new vehicles. More about enclosed transport in this guide.

Suitable for: New, luxury or vintage electric cars
Benefits: Maximum protection against weather and damage
Disadvantages: Highest cost
Price example: Tesla transport for €2500-2795

Specific concerns for electric vehicles

Battery Related Risks

Lithium-ion batteries are subject to ADR legislation for hazardous materials, especially if damaged or defective.

Critical risks:

  • Thermal runaway: uncontrollable heat development can lead to fire
  • Toxic gases: Fire releases harmful substances
  • Difficult to extinguish: Lithium fires can persist for days
  • Short circuit: If transport damage occurs, internal short circuits may occur

Transportation Requirements for Electric Cars

Optimal charge level: 30-50% charge reduces risk. Not completely empty (risk of deep discharge) but also not 100% full.

Temperature control: Lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures during transport.

Extra fastening: Careful fastening prevents shocks and vibrations that can damage the battery.

Special insurance: Check if transportation insurance explicitly covers lithium-ion batteries.

Weight and Transport Capacity

Electric cars are on average 200-500kg heavier than comparable gasoline/diesel cars due to the battery pack. This affects transportation in several ways:

  • Transport capacity: fewer cars per car transporter due to weight limits
  • Costs: Potentially higher rates due to limited loading capacity
  • Safety: Extra careful fastening required due to higher weight
  • Road tax: In 2025 you will pay 25% road tax despite higher weight

Charging Cables and Accessories

Don’t forget the charging cable! Electric cars often have expensive charging cables that require specific attention during transport:

  • Value: New charging cables cost €200-300, used still €100-150
  • Theft risk: Charging cables are often stolen, especially in cold weather
  • Brand-specific: Each car manufacturer uses its own connectors (Tesla, Type 2, CCS)
  • Storage: Usually stored in trunk or frunk, carry separately when transporting
  • Insurance: check if charging cable is covered by transport insurance

Energy Management During Transport

Note these EV-specific energy consumers that can drain the battery during transport:

Transportation in Winter Conditions

Electric cars have 20-40% less range in freezing temperatures, which is important for transportation:

Emergency Procedures and Fire Safety

Carriers must be prepared for EV-specific emergencies:

Practical Cases from Transportation Practice

Case 1: Tesla Exports to Spain

Situation: Tesla Model S from Heiloo to Cartagena, Spain
Quotes received: 5 different providers
Price range: €650 – €2795
Chosen solution: Driving transport for €650
Learning point: For functional electric cars, moving transportation is very cost-effective

Case 2: BMW i3 International Purchase

Situation: Non-driving BMW i3 from Lelystad to Germany
Challenge: Car could not drive due to battery problem
Solution: specialized transport with ADR certification
Cost: €841 including VAT
Learning point: Defective batteries require specialist transporters

Case 3: Electric Scooter Transport

Situation: 2x Spyder Wheelz e-chopper regional transport
Distance: 150km
Price range: €250-315
Learning point: Electric scooters are relatively easy to transport

Permits and Certifications

For regular electric cars:

  • NIWO license for national transport
  • Euro permit for transport within the EU
  • CEMT license for routes outside the EU

For damaged electric vehicles:

  • ADR certificate for transportation of defective batteries
  • Special packaging instructions according to UN standards
  • Additional insurance for hazardous materials

Key cost factors in EV transportation

Distance (biggest factor):

  • Local (50-150km): €240-605
  • National (150-500km): €425-1150
  • International Europe: €785-3390

Type of electric vehicle:

Urgency:

  • Standard planning: base price
  • “Can as soon as possible”: +25-50%
  • Express delivery within 24h: +50-100%

Seasonality:

  • Winter (Nov-Feb): Normal prices
  • Spring (Mar-May): +10-20%
  • Summer (Jun-Aug): +20-30% (peak season).
  • Autumn (Sep-Oct): +10-15%

Tips for Cost Optimization

Preparation

  • Plan ahead: Flexible dates can save 20-30%
  • Optimal charging level: 30-50% charge prevents additional costs
  • Complete documentation: Papers in order prevents delays
  • Multiple offers: Prices can differ 300-400% (see Tesla to Spain)

Smart Choices

  • Combined transport: 40-60% cheaper than exclusive transport
  • Back freight: can provide 20-30% discount
  • Flexible routes: Detours for combination transport save costs
  • Off-season transportation: Winter months are often cheaper

Future of electric vehicle transportation

With more than 600,000 electric cars in the Netherlands and growing international trade, the transportation sector is evolving rapidly:

Technological developments:

  • Better battery technology: solid-state batteries are safer and have 40% less CO2 impact
  • Improved charging infrastructure: Enables driving transport over longer distances
  • Intelligent transportation planning: AI optimization for more efficient routes

Market changes:

  • More specialized carriers: Falling prices due to competition
  • Economies of scale: Higher volumes lead to lower cost per vehicle
  • International standardization: Uniform rulebook lowers complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are price differences so great for the same transportation?
Transportation method (driving vs trailer), service level (combined vs direct), urgency and insurance coverage lead to price differences of 300-400%. Can I have my Tesla transported with a dead battery?
Yes, on a car transporter. For moving transport, the battery must have at least 30% charge for the required distance. What if my electric car has a faulty battery?
This requires specialized transport with ADR certification and may cost an additional €120-365 due to special safety measures. Is my electric car otherwise insured during transport?
Not automatic. Check explicitly whether transport insurance covers lithium-ion batteries, especially for international shipments. Can I save money by comparing multiple quotes?
Absolutely. As shown, prices for the same transport can range from €650 to €2795. Comparing can save thousands of euros.

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Companies specializing in electric car transport

There are many companies in the Netherlands and Belgium that can transport electric cars. Of these, some really specialize in electric vehicles and some offer it alongside regular car transport. Below are registered companies that can perform electric car transport. There are companies among them that are suitable for the relatively simple transportation of a single electric car. But you can also find a suitable company here if you need multiple Tesla’s, BMW i-series or other electric vehicles transported.

When choosing specifically note that the transportation company:

  • Has experience with electric vehicles and their specific requirements
  • Possesses ADR certification For transportation of defective batteries (if required). You can find this by filtering through our business directory.
  • Has proper licensing and insurance for lithium-ion batteries. The most important permit (besides the ADR certificate) is NIWO’s Euro permit. Please note that many car companies claim to transport cars while they do not have a Euro license. This is not allowed. Therefore, always check explicitly whether a company has a Euro permit by filtering in our business directory or through the NIWO database.
  • Has knowledge of loading levels and temperature requirements during transportation
  • Has experience with various EV brands such as Tesla, BMW i-series, Audi e-tron, etc.

This prevents problems later and ensures that your electric vehicle is transported safely and in accordance with current regulations.

Below is an overview of affiliated car transporters who indicate they have ADR and a Euro permit. Always explicitly ask the company if the papers are in order. Check all companies in our company directory.

Transporting a car yourself – what driver’s license?

If you’re going to transport a car yourself on a trailer or by driving the car over, you need to take a closer look at what driver’s license you need. For car transport on a trailer you will in most cases need at least a BE license. On the RDW website you can easily enter your license plate number after which you can quickly see what weight your car is allowed to tow and what the unladen weight and payload of your vehicle is.

If you are going to drive the vehicle yourself, you need to have the proper driver’s license for that type of vehicle. Find out which license you need for your type of vehicle here.

What driving license for which

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