How Is The Wading Depth Affected In An EV?

[Biker67]

Hi Folks,

Obviously my HS PHEV is no Land Rover Defender. But I assume it does have a degree of wading ability.
Or is that definitely not advisable, without risking damage to the various high voltage components?

 

[salty]

Obviously the HS has more clearance than say an MG4 for example. And as long as battery pack, doesn't actually go in the water, you should be fine. But personally I would still avoid wading, like the plague, unless absolutely necessary.
Only my opinion of course.

 

[MG Clive]

I don't know about wading, but here's a floating MG4.

 

[Rolfe]

The issue with a hybrid is still the air intake of the ICE sucking in water. Snapping camrods is not a nice sound.

 

[Biker67]

The issue with a hybrid is still the air intake of the ICE sucking in water. Snapping camrods is not a nice sound.

I wouldn't take the HS that deep Rolfe.
I was basically asking if I could slowly drive through water that comes halfway up the wheels? So approximately 12"-14".
That would presumably be deep enough to emerse the high voltage battery? Or at least the casing it sits in.

PS....
It's Conrods not "Camrods"
Cams sit at the tip of the engine Conrods attach the pistons to the crank at the bottom.
But as you're a female lady of the opposite sex. I'll let you off!

 

[Biker67]

I don't know about wading, but here's a floating MG4.

Not only was that obviously waaaay too deep.
The driver goes at it like a bull at a gate!

 

[Rolfe]

I discovered later, from the guy who made the video, that the car survived. The owner took the distinctive wrap off it though!

 

[Rolfe]

I wouldn't take the HS that deep Rolfe.
I was basically asking if I could slowly drive through water that comes halfway up the wheels? So approximately 12"-14".
That would presumably be deep enough to emerse the high voltage battery? Or at least the casing it sits in.

PS....
It's Conrods not "Camrods"
Cams sit at the tip of the engine Conrods attach the pistons to the crank at the bottom.
But as you're a female lady of the opposite sex. I'll let you off!

I think you should be fine. I don't know about hybrids, but EV batteries can certainly take that and more. With pure EVs (no air intake) , your main worry may be the upholstery and soundproofing getting saturated.

 

[Everest]

Or is that definitely not advisable

Not advisable, IMHO.

If you have a spare 3 hours take a read of this whole thread.. took over 3 years for a water ingress issue to get resolved.

Post in thread 'Not how I thought today was going to pan out...'

Feb 14, 2025

Another update, such as it is...

Matter has been forwarded to the Ombudsman for consideration.

That's almost exactly a year since it chucked it.

• macd2401

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[salty]

Not advisable, IMHO.

Totally agree.

 

[Bam Bam]

Hi Folks,

Obviously my HS PHEV is no Land Rover Defender. But I assume it does have a degree of wading ability.
Or is that definitely not advisable, without risking damage to the various high voltage components?

I'd be more worried about what is lurking under the water than immediate electrical damage.

But the electrical side would be a slight worry also, for reasons Everest notes. The water technically shouldn't get in the battery but if it does due to a badly inserted lug then you're stuffed.

Also, with a PHEV how do you know the petrol won't kick in part-way through?

 

[Biker67]

Also, with a PHEV how do you know the petrol won't kick in part-way through?

I've checked mate
And the air intake is way above the height that I'd dare to wade my HS.
My question only relates to the permissable depth without causing issues with the high voltage gear.

 

[Rolfe]

He's only talking about water coming half way up the wheels and we know the MG4 is rated for that.

The case Everest linked to was an issue with a crash-damaged battery letting water in. An undamaged battery should be fine for half way up the wheels.

 

[salty]

That may well be, but still would not drive through water up to 14 inches, which was mentioned. I'd sooner turn around and go a different way. But it's up to the individual.

 

[MG Clive]

That may well be, but still would not drive through water up to 14 inches, which was mentioned. I'd sooner turn around and go a different way. But it's up to the individual.

Same here, never mind 14 inches of water, I avoid puddles on the road, you never know how deep the pothole under the puddle is.

 

[Archev]

That may well be, but still would not drive through water up to 14 inches, which was mentioned. I'd sooner turn around and go a different way. But it's up to the individual.

Drowning is the worst result of valour.

 

[JohnV6]

Best avoided. Floods can hide hidden dangers like open manhole, rocks etc.

Plus water I hv electrics isn't ideal.

 

[Biker67]

Plus water I hv electrics isn't ideal.

Cheers John, but that was the whole point of this post mate.
i.e. are EV's insulated to the advent of unavoidably deep puddles?
I don't expect to be able to wade through rivers up to the height of the side widows.

 

[Rolfe]

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

 

[Archev]

My son like showing off his car accessories:-

Schnorkel - tire (tyre) pressure adjuster - better door seals - long wellies to collect his own burritos etc etc.