How is the wading capability of the Chery Ant?
4 Answers
Chery Ant has a wading depth of 135mm. When the water depth is one-third of the tire height, it can pass through safely; when the water depth exceeds half of the tire height, caution is required as this may easily cause water to enter the car; if the wading depth exceeds the bumper, drivers should be vigilant to avoid water entering the engine; if the engine does get water inside, never attempt to restart it, as this can cause significant damage to the vehicle. Additional information: Taking the Ant 2021 200,000 Ant Fans Edition Ternary Lithium 301km as an example: it is a microcar launched by Chery New Energy, with dimensions of 3200mm in length, 1670mm in width, and 1550mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2150mm. It is equipped with a pure electric 41-horsepower motor, with a maximum power of 30kw, paired with a single-speed transmission for electric vehicles.
I once drove a Chery eQ1 and tried wading through water on a rainy city road. I felt that the ground clearance of this small car isn't very high, about 15 cm or so. It can handle shallow puddles, but deeper water poses a greater risk. The battery of an electric vehicle is located under the car, and when water reaches half the height of the wheels, it can easily seep in, causing a short circuit or even damaging the motor control system. Once, I drove through a flooded intersection where the water was about 20 cm deep, and the car suddenly lost power and stopped. Fortunately, there was no major damage, but it cost some money to repair. In daily use, it's best to avoid deep water areas, either by detouring or passing through slowly without braking to prevent accidents. Regularly checking the car's seals and underbody protection is also important, as the small car is designed more for urban commuting and has weak off-road capabilities.
From a technical perspective, the Chery Ant's water-wading capability is quite limited. As a mini electric vehicle, its lowest ground clearance is typically only 15-18 cm, with the motor and battery pack installed at relatively low positions. Exceeding water depth above the wheel center becomes hazardous. The standard wading depth is estimated around 20 cm - deeper water may cause short-circuit failures. I've seen a friend's vehicle suffer complete battery failure due to flooding, resulting in costly and labor-intensive repairs. Designed primarily for lightweight urban commuting, it lacks specialized waterproof reinforcement, requiring extra caution on flooded roads. During rainy days, drivers should anticipate water depth and avoid sudden acceleration/braking to prevent water surge. For frequent encounters with flooded areas, installing additional underbody protection plates is recommended to enhance safety.
In terms of water wading safety, the Chery Ant performs relatively weakly, with a maximum wading depth of approximately 20 cm. Exceeding this limit can easily lead to issues. The motor and battery are not waterproof and can be damaged by water ingress. I do not recommend attempting deep water crossings as the risk is too high. Both checking the data manual and actual tests indicate this point—do not take the risk to prevent safety accidents. Maintaining a low speed when passing through shallow water accumulation areas is the safest approach.
