Are New Energy Vehicles Afraid of Being Flooded?
3 Answers
All vehicles are afraid of being flooded because they contain electrical circuits, which can develop faults after being submerged in water. Therefore, it is not recommended to drive in deep water areas. Below is more information about new energy vehicles: 1. Introduction: New energy vehicles refer to vehicles that use unconventional vehicle fuels as power sources (or use conventional vehicle fuels with new onboard power devices), integrating advanced technologies in vehicle power control and driving, resulting in vehicles with advanced technical principles, new technologies, and new structures. 2. Classification: New energy vehicles include four main types: hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), battery electric vehicles (BEV, including solar-powered vehicles), fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV), and other new energy vehicles (such as those using supercapacitors, flywheels, and other high-efficiency energy storage devices).
From a vehicle usage perspective, new energy vehicles are indeed more vulnerable to flooding than fuel-powered cars. I've seen numerous water-damaged vehicle cases where the core issue lies with the battery pack. When lithium batteries are submerged, internal short circuits occur, electrolyzing water to produce hydrogen gas that causes a dramatic pressure increase – in severe cases, the casing can rupture directly. Water exposure also disables the battery management system, potentially causing complete vehicle failure. The most troublesome aspect is electrolyte leakage after flooding, as metallic lithium spontaneously combusts upon contact with air – this hidden danger may manifest months later. Therefore, a new energy vehicle's wading depth shouldn't be judged solely by advertised IP67 ratings. Prolonged water immersion essentially totals the vehicle, creating headaches for insurers when repair costs exceed the car's value.
After a decade of repairing cars, I've found that the waterproofing of new energy vehicles primarily depends on sealing techniques. If the sealant at the battery pack seams ages or the chassis gets dented, it turns into a funnel when submerged. The motor controller, positioned low in the engine bay, risks water ingress and short-circuiting if the water level exceeds the wheel hub's center axis. The waterproof rubber rings on high-voltage wiring harness connectors typically harden and fail in about five years, leading to immediate short circuits and fires when submerged. Moreover, after a water wading incident, you can't immediately power off the vehicle; you must first disconnect the maintenance switch, or the high-voltage system poses even greater risks. My advice is to always take the vehicle to a workshop for disassembly and inspection after wading through water—simply drying it out is definitely a hidden danger.
