At the rate at which glaciers are melting, and sea levels are rising, the world might just become one giant Venice. In such water-logged conditions, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to save up and buy a car that can be converted into a boat-like transformer and be able to drive through water.
Having said that, many people are probably unaware that electric vehicles perform better in flood conditions. We’ve shared numerous videos and stories about Tesla vehicles navigating floods like boats. Even Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated that, for the time being, a Tesla will function similarly to a boat.
Because the Tesla engine is electric, it lacks an air intake, allowing it to be completely sealed and waterproof. However, Musk warns owners that submerging their vehicles is not recommended.
Read ahead to be on the safe side of things.
Is It Safe To Drive Electric Cars In Water?
Generally speaking, it is not safe for any car. This is because the electrical components trip if a car is immersed in water and some water gets into the electrical system. Even turning off the car interrupts the flow of power from the batteries to the motor, leaving the high-voltage cables that connect them powerless.
It is not advisable to drive through a flood in an electric vehicle. In fact, it could be even riskier than driving through a flood in a gas-powered vehicle. If an electric vehicle is flooded, the occupants of the vehicle may be in grave danger.
Cars That Can Drive Through Water
Over the last few years, flooding has become more common. SUVs and trucks with four-wheel drive can drive through shallow floodwaters. Cars on high ground clearance are also excellent choices for driving through high water. Furthermore, vehicles with shielded body panels can withstand flooding better than others.
The Land Rover Defender
The Land Rover Defender is an off-road capable vehicle. It is well-known for withstanding extreme conditions. If driven gently, the Defender can take on up to 900 mm (35.4 inches) of water.
Drive through deeper water, and the Defender will still make it, as long as you slow down slightly to avoid damaging the driveshaft. The Defender’s ground clearance is 8.86 inches, which is sufficient to keep it from becoming trapped in most floodwaters.
The Toyota Fortuner
Another off-road vehicle that can handle floods is the Toyota Fortuner. It can drive through floods up to 27.5 inches deep, with a ground clearance of 8.7 inches. This SUV has been tested in several countries to ensure that it can handle a variety of landscapes. It’s an excellent vehicle for getting around in the rain and discovering new places.
The Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is an excellent choice for navigating floodwaters. Its design makes it suitable for all driving and weather conditions. It can travel through up to 19.6 inches of flooded streets, but its speed must be limited to crawling.
Low-speed navigation through floodwaters will keep the engine from being submerged. The ground clearance on this vehicle is 8.7 inches. As a result, the Forester is ideal for discovering new places such as hiking trails or camping grounds.
The Tesla Model 3
For those seeking to survive floods, the Tesla Model 3 is a popular choice. Because it has a motor rather than an engine, this EV can go places that gas-powered automobiles cannot. In fact, Tesla CEO Elon Musk stated that the car floats well and can temporarily transform into a boat.
Despite the fact that the car floats well, it is critical not to drive it into deep water. It can traverse water up to 38 inches deep. It should not exceed 20 miles per hour, and the water should be calm.
The Jeep Wrangler Xtreme Recon
Another off-road vehicle that can handle flooded areas is the Jeep Wrangler Xtreme Recon. It has 12.9 inches of ground clearance and can drive through floods up to 33.6 inches deep at speeds under 20 mph.
The hybrid Wrangler includes a waterproof battery pack with a fording depth of 30 inches. According to Jeep CEO Christian Meunier, as reported by The Detroit News, the carmaker intends to build underwater vehicles.
He claims that future Jeep designs will be capable of driving underwater. Owners of such a vehicle will be able to experience the most remote regions without fear of damage or becoming stuck.
Will Your Tesla Carry You Through The Hard Times?
A flooded engine cannot function at all. Electric cars, on the other hand, are not propelled by internal-combustion engines; instead, their forward motion is provided by an electric motor.
Even Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated that, for the time being, a Tesla will function similarly to a boat. But it is not recommended. It’s critical to understand that driving through water is risky, and driving through deep water is incredibly hazardous regardless of the vehicle.
Although Elon Musk has previously stated that Teslas can float for short periods of time, there is no official Tesla boat mode. Indeed, videos of Teslas floating in water the depth of a yardstick have been circulating on the internet since at least 2016.
Other vehicles cannot handle the water that Teslas do. Previous discussion on this subject has claimed that a Tesla can float in very deep water for a brief span of time. Elon Musk has also affirmed that the cars are capable of floating.
Conclusion
Having said all that, we advise you to not risk your life, expecting Elon to save you later. Even though Teslas can take you through rough waters (pun intended), they can only go so far. Like Cinderella’s magic spell, it won’t last long. So don’t test out apocalyptic scenarios just yet, and save your Tesla for real emergencies.
