- A Texas man has been accused of intentionally driving his Tesla into a lake
- A partially submerged vehicle was removed by a rescue team
- Cybertruck has a maximum wading depth of only 81.5 cm (32 inches)
A Tesla driver has been arrested in Texas after “deliberately” driving his Cybertruck into a lake to test the Wade Mode feature, police say.
The divisive, angular electric vehicle, which launched in 2019 alongside claims that it is partially bulletproof and capable of tackling the roughest terrain, has an official maximum wading depth of 81.5cm (32 inches), according to Tesla’s online manual.
But one unhappy owner quickly found the limits of Tesla’s technology after deliberately walking into Grapevine Lake in north Texas this week, according to police. Emergency services said they found the vehicle abandoned by the driver and passengers after it took on water and became stuck.
The driver was subsequently arrested on charges of driving a vehicle in a closed part of the lake and other violations of water safety equipment, police said, according to the BBC.
Both the police and the Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team were called to remove the Cybertruck from the shoreline.
Police said in a statement that “even if a vehicle may be physically capable of entering shallow freshwater areas, it may create legal and safety concerns under Texas law”.
Analysis: A questionable off-roader?
Ever since its launch, numerous websites and social media channels have tested the claimed durability of Tesla’s Cybertruck with mixed results.
WhistlinDiesel’s brutal YouTube video caused a stir when it went live a year ago, showing key parts of the Cybertruck seemingly physically coming off the frame as it was subjected to several violent tests.
Similarly, MotorTrend’s detailed off-road analysis concluded that the Cybertruck has the bigs but doesn’t really deliver on the important stuff.
Its reporters claimed that visibility was poor, range was degraded during off-road driving and the lack of a spare tire was ‘amateur hour’.
Look at
Customers are also finding myriad reliability issues with their trucks, including but not limited to alleged panel rust, flying wheel caps, tonneau cover leaks and, perhaps even more troubling, wheels that can fall off.
Regarding Wade Mode, Tesla states on its website that it is the driver’s responsibility “to measure the depth of any body of water before entering”, adding that “damage or water ingress to the Cybertruck as a result of driving in water is not covered by the warranty”.
But with all the bold claims before, during and after the Cybertruck’s launch, it’s no wonder customers believe in the EV’s capabilities.
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