What is the wading depth for electric vehicles?
4 Answers
According to police announcements, pure electric vehicles should not drive too fast in rainy weather. When driving through water, the depth of accumulated water on the road should not exceed 30 centimeters, with the speed controlled below 10 km/h, while paying attention to dashboard warnings. Currently, electric vehicles have relatively low wading depths, with even large buses only capable of 20 to 30 centimeters, and sedans even less. Below is relevant information about wading depth: 1. Safe wading depth: The safe wading depth is the distance of the vehicle's ground clearance. If the water depth exceeds two-thirds of the wheel height after entering the water, it exceeds the safe range, and water may enter the vehicle. If the water depth exceeds the front bumper or approaches the front grille, it can directly cause engine water ingress and damage the vehicle. If the vehicle stalls in deep water, water entering the exhaust pipe and flowing back into the engine may severely damage the vehicle. 2. Precautions: If the vehicle stalls in shallow water, the engine can be started to expel the small amount of water in the exhaust pipe. Whether the vehicle can be restarted after stalling in water depends on the condition of the engine compartment. If the engine compartment has water ingress, the vehicle should not be restarted.
I think the biggest concern when choosing an electric car is the battery getting soaked in rainy weather. The official wading depth figures are usually quite conservative. For example, the BYD Han is rated for 30 cm, but actual tests show it can drive in water up to 40 cm deep. The IP67 waterproof rating of the battery is actually quite impressive—it can withstand being submerged in 1-meter-deep water for half an hour. But don’t push your luck! After all, water wave impact is much harsher than static submersion. Always check the water depth markers before wading—SUVs have a much bigger advantage here. The Model Y has a ground clearance of 16 cm, while a regular sedan is only about 12 cm. If the car stalls in water, never attempt to restart it—the battery repair cost could buy you a Wuling Hongguang.
When driving an electric car through water, there are three key points to consider: the halfway point of the tires is the maximum water level—exceeding it increases the risk of losing control; keep the speed below 8 km/h to prevent water from surging into the chassis; and pay close attention to the height of the waves kicked up by the vehicle ahead. I once drove a Tesla Model 3 through 25 cm of standing water, and the wall of water pushed up by the front of the car stopped just below the air intake grille. Waterproofing designs vary by brand—the Porsche Taycan's battery pack uses three layers of silicone seals, making it more resilient than standard electric cars. During the rainy season, it's advisable to set regenerative braking to its lowest level to prevent sudden power loss and potential skidding.
Electric vehicles handle water differently than fuel-powered cars. With battery packs mostly located under the chassis, ground clearance becomes the lifeline. These measured data might be useful for you: XPeng P7 has 13.8cm ground clearance, while Aion S only has 10cm. It's recommended not to exceed one-third of the tire height in water depth, roughly capped at 25 centimeters. When crossing waterlogged areas, maintain steady throttle to keep a constant speed—sudden acceleration can push water levels higher. After returning home, prioritize checking the battery compartment's drainage valve; mud stains indicate water ingress. Tire size also affects safety, with 235/55 R19 tires being much more stable in deep water compared to narrower 205 tires.
