What is the wading capability of the NIO ES6?
2 Answers
The maximum wading depth of the NIO ES6 is approximately 300-500mm. The wading depth of the NIO ES6 is determined by the height of the vehicle's chassis, which is the ground clearance listed in the model's parameter configuration table. Generally, the greater the ground clearance, the higher the chassis, and the higher the safety factor when driving through waterlogged roads. Therefore, in terms of safe wading depth, the advantages of off-road vehicles and SUVs are obvious. However, for most compact and small cars with low chassis, the position of the vehicle's air intake should be used as a benchmark when passing through waterlogged roads. If the air intake of the NIO ES6 is below the water level during wading, water will be sucked into the engine's cylinders. Since water cannot be compressed like air, it will cause severe damage to the engine's mechanical components (such as connecting rods, pistons, crankshafts, etc.). Therefore, the wading depth must not exceed the height of the engine's air intake. The height of the engine's air intake, and thus the maximum wading depth, can also be increased by installing a snorkel. If wading is unavoidable, the following safe and correct operations should be performed: Before driving through water, always turn off the auto start-stop function to prevent the vehicle from automatically restarting after stalling in the water, which could cause severe engine damage due to water ingress. Assess the underwater road conditions based on the passage of vehicles ahead and choose an appropriate entry point. Observe the path taken by other vehicles and follow their tracks at low speed, avoiding sudden acceleration or deceleration. On roads prone to water accumulation, observe warning water level markers, trees, and reference points such as the wheels and doors of other vehicles to estimate the water depth before deciding whether to proceed. Know your vehicle's safe wading depth. If the water depth exceeds half the height of the tires or the engine's air intake, do not attempt to drive through; instead, choose an alternative route.
As a long-time owner of the NIO ES6, I find its wading capability quite reliable for daily driving through waterlogged areas. The wading depth is generally around 30 cm, roughly below knee height, making it safe to drive through shallow water during rainy days. A major advantage is that electric vehicles don't have an exhaust system, so they won't stall when wading—much more worry-free than gasoline cars. However, the battery under the chassis sits low, and water deeper than 40 cm could cause short circuits, so I always detour or wait for the water to recede when encountering deep water. During a typhoon, I drove through 20 cm deep water without any issues—the car remained stable. I'd advise new owners not to risk driving through deep water and to check the seals and battery condition afterward as a precaution. While the wading ability is good, safety should always come first.
