- A Texas man has been accused of intentionally driving his Tesla into a lake
- A rescue team rescued the partially submerged vehicle
- Cybertruck has a maximum fording depth of only 81.5 cm (32 inches)
A Tesla driver has been arrested in Texas after “intentionally” piloting his Cybertruck into a lake to test the Wade Mode feature, police say.
The divisive angular electric vehicle, which was launched in 2019 alongside claims that it was partially bulletproof and capable of tackling the toughest terrain, features an official maximum wading depth of 32 inches (81.5 cm), according to Tesla’s online manual.
But one unfortunate owner quickly found the limits of Tesla’s technology after deliberately entering Grapevine Lake in North Texas this week, according to police. Rescue services said they found the vehicle abandoned by the driver and passengers after it filled with water and became stuck.
The driver was later arrested on charges of operating a vehicle in a closed section of the lake and other violations of water safety equipment, police said, according to the BBC.
Both police and the Grapevine Fire Department’s water rescue team were called to remove the Cybertruck from shore.
Police said in a statement that “although a vehicle may be physically capable of entering shallow freshwater areas, doing so may create legal and safety issues under Texas law.”
Analysis: A questionable all-rounder?
Since its launch, numerous websites and social media channels have been testing the supposed ruggedness of Tesla’s Cybertruck, with mixed results.
WhistlinDiesel’s brutal YouTube video caused a stir when it was posted a year ago, showing major parts of the Cybertruck apparently physically detaching from the frame when it was subjected to numerous abusive tests.
Similarly, MotorTrend’s detailed off-road analysis concluded that the Cybertruck has the makings of greatness, but doesn’t really deliver what matters.
Its journalists claimed that visibility was poor, that range was reduced during off-road driving, and that the lack of a spare wheel was “amateur hour.”
Look
Customers are also encountering countless reliability problems with their trucks, including, but not limited to, suspected rusted panels, loose wheel covers, leaks in the tonneau cover, and, perhaps most concerning, wheels that could 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 under warranty.”
But with all the bold claims before, during and after the launch of the Cybertruck, it’s no wonder customers are confident in the electric vehicle’s capabilities.
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