A Tesla Model S driver in Kazakhstan founded himself in a flooded tunnel and miraculously managed to get the Model S to safety on the other side. You can see the Tesla driver maneuver past multiple dead-in-the-water gas-powered cars in the video below:
So how exactly does the Tesla Model S survive in the water when gas-powered cars cannot? Well, first off, an electric motor means no exhaust pipe or air intake for water to rush in, but it also means that there is some pretty good insulation to protect you from the 600V or so electric power unit.
Secondly, the titanium undershell of the Model S — seen here being awesome — acts as a sort of boat bottom that lets the car sit in the water eveningly. From there, an admittedly small amount of thrust from the tires spinning in the water pushes the car forward.
We *def* don't recommended this, but Model S floats well enough to turn it into a boat for short periods of time. Thrust via wheel rotation.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 19, 2016
If curious abt TSWLM car, am still planning to do a sports sub car that can drive on roads. Just a side project. Limited market potential :)
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 19, 2016
Why doesn’t the front half of the car just sink to the bottom, you ask? Because the Model S has a nearly even weight distribution, with about 52 percent of the car’s weight being on the rear and 48 percent on the front.
While the core electrics are all waterproof, it does not mean taking a Tesla out in the water for a little swim is a good idea. Not only are you voiding all the warranties and insurance plans you possibly can, the Model S wasn’t designed to be air tight and you can bet that some water is getting somewhere it shouldn’t be.
Still, at least you won’t end up like this guy below.
