Some absolutely crazy footage of a Tesla Model 3 wading through floods in China has emerged, showing it driving through high waters and churning up some serious wash – but ultimately able to cross to the other side.
We say crazy because, obviously, we’re not recommending anyone actually tries this. “If it’s flooded, forget it,” is the clear message from authorities. Do not drive into water. It puts you and others (those trying to save you) at risk.
But we couldn’t help be amazed at the footage, which was shared on the Austin Tesla Club Twitter account and tagged “#chinaflood”.
Driver of the #teslamodel3, continues going despite the rising tide and the heavy current. The Tesla makes it out safely @JayinShanghai @bentv_sh @elonmusk #chinaflood
— Austin Tesla Club (@AustinTeslaClub) July 25, 2021
In it, the car appears to cross a deep floodway with the water coming almost up to the windscreen. Other cars have been left abandoned but the Model 3 makes it to the other side.
The original Twitter account that posted the video, @_LanJun said (translated from Chinese), “I think this is because tesla’s batteries are evenly distributed across the chassis and are effectively water-resistant. This results in a very reasonable front to rear weight ratio, unlike a fuel car, which floats and then plunges its engine headlong into the water.”
The footage is just one in a series of videos emerging from the recent China floods, which have devastated Henan with thousands requiring evacuation.
Another video from the Twitter account @coderbear shows a Model 3 cruising through a water-filled roadway, saying the footage was taken in Henan.
where was this from? 😳
— Simon Alvarez (@ResidentSponge) July 20, 2021
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.