How Is The Wading Depth Affected In An EV?

[Biker67]

Yes, they are. There would be cars breaking down all over the landscape if they weren't.

A previous Merc of mine got written off by a 4" puddle!
The standard front splitter/spoiler was so low it scopped up the water & funneled it straight into the air intake!
The only minor upside was the fact I'd purchased it in 2021 at the time before the used car prices went crazy.
Consequently, 2.5yrs later after the engine damage (write off)
I was paid out nearly £4000 more than I'd paid for it.
However, it was still majorly gutting as I'd spent approx 2yrs tracking down the exact colour, spec & mileage that I wanted.
And obviously, a replacement was also disproportionately poor value for money compared with what I'd originally paid.

So I had a year or so in a do-er-uper MK3 Mazda MX5 until the prices became more sensible
And that was loads of fun on a shoestring budget

 

[Rolfe]

Aw, that's terrible!

 

[Ian Key]

A couple of years ago I emailed MG Customer Service asking about the wading depth of the MG4. Here is their reply:

I apologise for late reply as I have been looking through our specifications.

Its not something that we have published, or been provided with, however, under normal circumstances on any motor vehicle , it is roughly just below half way of the wheel.

This pretty much coincides with the lower sill below your doors.

 

[5teep]

Anecdotally I drove my old MG5 through a flood that came up over the bonnet with no harm to the car (didn't think it was as deep as it turned out to be). Another local guy had the same experience around the same time. Days of biblical rain had caused roads to flood across the Highlands.

 

[Rolfe]

You can get away with murder sometimes, but just watch Ben Regers YouTube channel and you'll never go in a flood again. Lots of written-off cars.

 

[brucie]

Not an MG but last year I drove through a puddle that turned out to be so deep the water washed over the bonnet even though I was crawling along. I hadn't realised how deep it was!
Car was totally fine and still is. Hyundai Ioniq 2022 model.

 

[Data]

I've been through fresh water where it came within probably 4" or 5" of the centre of the wheels of my ZS EV. There was no alternative. I noted there were several EV's going through. It was a flooded main road. Everyone was being very sensible, going very slowly so as not to make a bow wave. I did likewise. I felt confident it would be fine as there are several videos on the net about this subject for EV's. Further, I had already checked my battery pack to make sure all the bungs & valves were sealed correctly, along with all the HV connectors. In theory EV's should cope with water better than ICE. In the owners manual it states to avoid driving through deep water. Minor floods are fine, but slowly!

 

[EVsince2016]

The MG technical director told me that all MG EVs are certified to 1m depth of water for up to 30 mins. Electrics including HV are not the problem.

Salty / dirty water getting into crevasses or worse inside that car are the issue. The cill depth of the MG5 is 45cm.

I drove my LEAF through 2 feet of water (wading depth approved 700mm) and the MG5 about 500mm without issues. Unseen buried objects, speed and flotation are the main issues to worry about.

 

[MG Clive]

The MG technical director told me that all MG EVs are certified to 1m depth of water for up to 30 mins. Electrics including HV are not the problem.

Wow, that's up to the mirrors on my MG4.

 

[EVsince2016]

I wouldn't trust the door seals or ventilation system at 1m depth though!

 

[salty]

The MG technical director told me that all MG EVs are certified to 1m depth of water for up to 30 mins. Electrics including HV are not the problem.

Think he must've been certified. Over 3ft of water, for 30 mins. WOW! no chance, certified or not.

 

[Archev]

Think he must've been certified. Over 3ft of water, for 30 mins. WOW! no chance, certified or not.

I’d have possibly believed 30cm for 1 min

 

[MG Clive]

I’d have possibly believed 30cm for 1 min

That's more like it.

 

[Data]

Almost certainly what he was referring to is purely the water resistance of the HV battery & seals, motor, it's connections & ancillaries. Not the actual car in its entirety. As far as I'm aware it's an international IP rating that all EV's have to meet.

 

[Biker67]

As far as I'm aware it's an international IP rating that all EV's have to meet.

That makes sense!

 

[Data]

My mobile phone has a military IP rating & military shock resistance. It can be submerged in up to 4ft of water for 30mins. It even works underwater, you can still send a text! Difficult to make a call...

 

[Biker67]

My mobile phone has a military IP rating & military shock resistance. It can be submerged in up to 4ft of water for 30mins. It even works underwater, you can still send a text! Difficult to make a call...

One of my hobbies is shooting.
Years ago a mate tried to convince me that his new wrap-around shades were military grade & ballistic proof. Not necessarily bullet proof but definitely shotgun proof.
Obviously that's BS, So I offered to test that theory for him.
Strangely enough, he declined my offer?!?
Maybe I should have allowed him to take them off first!

 

[Archev]

One of my hobbies is shooting.
Years ago a mate tried to convince me that his new wrap-around shades were military grade & ballistic proof. Not necessarily bullet proof but definitely shotgun proof.
Obviously that's BS, So I offered to test that theory for him.
Strangely enough, he declined my offer?!?
Maybe I should have allowed him to take them off first!

My wallet is completely cash proof

 

[Ethanedwards]

Some plucky Aussies drove an EV seven km last year. Not impressed? It was also around Sydney Harbour oh and it was under several meters of salty water.

So an EV like the MG4 will be fine, it may even float. Worst case scenario the inside may get a bit damp.

 

[salty]

Not doubt it might. But I for one, won't be trying, it.