What is the maximum water depth that new energy vehicles should not drive through?
2 Answers
New energy vehicles should not drive through water that exceeds the height of the chassis. Below are precautions for driving new energy vehicles through water: Reduce speed and maintain distance: Keep the speed below 10km/h, drive cautiously and steadily, slow down, and maintain a safe distance to ensure safe passage. When the water depth exceeds the height of the vehicle's chassis, the vehicle should detour or stop; forcing through is strictly prohibited. Post-water crossing inspection: After passing through the water, it is necessary to get out of the car to inspect, remove any accumulated water, and check the chassis, especially the braking system, power battery, motor, and wiring harness to ensure there is no damage or short circuit.
When it comes to driving a new energy vehicle through water, the water depth must never exceed the center point of the wheels, approximately half the wheel height, with 30 to 40 centimeters being the upper limit. I've been driving this electric car for several years, and my biggest concern is water accumulation because the battery pack is located under the chassis. If submerged, it could short-circuit or experience insulation failure. Once during a light rainstorm, I drove slowly through shallow road water without any issues, but I heard that my neighbor's car had water above the wheel hubs, causing battery failure due to water ingress. Experts recommend maintaining a slow and steady speed when wading through water, avoiding acceleration to prevent creating waves. More critically, if the water depth exceeds this limit, it can easily lead to leakage in the high-voltage system. In the worst case, if the vehicle's electrical components are damaged, repair costs could run into thousands or even tens of thousands. Therefore, during heavy rain and water accumulation, it's best to detour or wait for the water to recede—safety first.
