Electric car in a flood

[A500leroy]

Probably a stupid question but if a flood submerges an electric car would it send an electric current through the water and electrocute anyone walking through the water?

[kambites]

A500leroy said:

Probably a stupid question but if a flood submerges an electric car would it send an electric current through the water and electrocute anyone walking through the water?

No because even if the battery wasn't water-sealed, the electricity would flow on the shortest path between the terminals of the battery which would be entirely contained within the pack. Most likely you'd get a short arc from annode to the battery casing, then another short arc back from the casing to the cathode.

[parabolica]

Only if the batteries were catastrophically damaged/burst. I would imagine they are very well insulated and isolated, and I'd imagine this was a strict requirement during R&D. Probably got more chance of getting electrocuted from a traditional car battery.

[Miserablegit]

...and then it would overheat, blowing into smithereens, killing anyone within 500 metres of the vehicle.

possibly...

[kambites]

Miserablegit said:

...and then it would overheat, blowing into smithereens, killing anyone within 500 metres of the vehicle.

possibly...

At least the flood would put the fire out afterwards.

[Miserablegit]

[anonymous-user]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBYFo6fXPvU

[Cold]

[Baldchap]

On a serious note, assuming that they're actually pretty spectacular in floods?

[RobDickinson]

Baldchap said:

On a serious note, assuming that they're actually pretty spectacular in floods?

They'll probably float before giving out, but theres a lot of ancillary electronics not designed for a soaking (HV stiff should be fine) which could go wrong either at the time or later.

[MarJay]

You put model car LiPo's into water to discharge them in order to dispose of them, so I would imagine the absolute worst that could happen is that the batteries are rendered inert.

[RobDickinson]

I'm not sure I want to be around when up to 100kwh at 400+v dishcarges...

[Witchfinder]

The Jaguar I-Pace has a wading depth of 500mm.

[RobDickinson]

Witchfinder said:

The Jaguar I-Pace has a wading depth of 500mm.

yep - rivian, cybertruck and bollinger will have more, and assume a full ev range rover will be arriving one day with 1m or so too , its usually not so much of a problem for 4WD's prepped for wading though

[redback911]

Sam.M said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBYFo6fXPvU

Cool...

"That's why we made the batteries water proof" -EM

[Cabbage Patch]

Looks like i3's float!

[Daaaveee]

EVs are really quite capable in a flood compared to an ICE, certainly the HV systems are well sealed. The main issue is getting water inside and ruining your interior, or starting to float if its deep enough!

Heres a Model X making light work of a pretty deep flood!

https://youtu.be/6hNGwuOy8Hs

[Dave Hedgehog]

redback911 said:

Sam.M said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBYFo6fXPvU

Cool...

"That's why we made the batteries water proof" -EM

submerging in water will fubar the battery pack and motor of a tesla as Rich rebuilds has shown, the questions is does this take 10 mins, an hour or a day+ i have no idea

[kambites]

Driving any normal car though a flood deeper than the ride height is a pretty daft thing to do.

[kuro68k]

A500leroy said:

Probably a stupid question but if a flood submerges an electric car would it send an electric current through the water and electrocute anyone walking through the water?

That's not how electricity works, except in Hollywood.