Can Tesla Drive in Water?
4 Answers
Tesla can drive briefly in water. According to the safety requirements for power batteries in electric vehicles regarding waterproof performance testing, new energy vehicles can be submerged in water for 30 minutes without any issues to the battery. The batteries in pure electric vehicles are completely sealed structures, so there is no risk of electric leakage even when submerged in water. Additionally, the batteries in new energy vehicles have extremely high purity requirements for the electrolyte, meaning external water cannot enter the battery and cause electrical short circuits.
I've been driving a Tesla for several years and always exercise caution when encountering puddles. Electric vehicles do have better wading capability than gasoline cars since there's no engine air intake to worry about. The Tesla battery pack has an IP67 waterproof rating, meaning it theoretically won't fail even when submerged in 1-meter deep water for half an hour. However, if you actually drive into deep water, the car might float and become uncontrollable. Water seeping through door gaps can soak and ruin the carpets, and the electrical connectors on the chassis are prone to corrosion. The manual clearly states not to exceed the center height of the wheel hubs. If you see standing water on the road, don't force your way through, especially in areas where the depth is unknown—going around is the safest option. Dealing with water damage issues afterward is even more troublesome, and this is all from my personal experience.
From the perspective of electric vehicle characteristics, Tesla does have inherent advantages when wading through water. The battery pack is completely sealed, and the motor doesn't require exhaust, so short-term passage through knee-deep water is generally not a problem. However, be cautious as water flow can damage chassis components, such as suspension arms which are prone to getting clogged with sand and mud. Once, I drove through 20 cm of standing water on a rainy day, and later discovered abnormal brake noises. Upon disassembly, I found the brake discs had rusted due to water exposure. Especially in northern winters when de-icing agents are spread on roads, the high salt content in water can accelerate chassis corrosion. Although the battery's waterproofing standards are excellent, it's impossible to fully seal all hundreds of connectors on the vehicle. Components like camera wiring harnesses soaked in electrolyte could potentially short-circuit.
When it comes to driving a Tesla through water, the key point is not to treat the waterproof rating as an invincible buff. IP67 means it can withstand being submerged in 1 meter of still water for half an hour without issues, but when driving, the water flow creates pressure, which can deform the seals and lead to leaks. I've seen cases where owners got a charging port warning after driving through water, only to find out it was due to debris interfering with the connector. Moreover, driving in water creates significant resistance, causing the battery to drain up to twice as fast as normal. If you're ever trapped by water, the priority should be to abandon the car if necessary and protect the battery from prolonged submersion. After all, replacing the battery pack can cost more than half the price of the car, making it not worth the risk.
