Water Wading In A Tata Curvv.EV: Good Idea Or Bad Idea? [Video]
The monsoons are here, and most parts of India are already receiving heavy rainfall. Flooded roads or patches are common during monsoons. We often see vehicles wading through these. When it comes to electric vehicles, water wading can be tricky. A video shared on the channel Anubhav Chauhan shows a potentially hazardous scenario- a guy driving his Tata Curvv EV through a patch of stagnant water, just to see if it would get stuck or wade through smoothly.
The video starts by showing a Curvv EV moving slowly through a flooded patch. Initially, it moves through a patch of road that's waterlogged. Later, it is taken to tougher courses. It drives through muddy patches without getting stuck, splashing water all around.
Why is this a bad idea?
The Curvv EV, according to the manufacturer, has a water wading capacity of 450mm. This means that it can drive safely through water which is up to 450mm in depth.
The men in this video were merely testing if the Curvv would get stuck in the slush or not. The problem here is the vehicle's powertrain. Electric vehicles feature high-voltage architecture, complex electric subsystems, and a massive Lithium-ion battery pack. These, if exposed to water or slush, can potentially be disastrous. It may lead to short circuits, corrosion or even thermal runaway!
To avoid these, most electric vehicles come with special protective structures which prevent water, moisture and slush from coming in contact with the powertrain components. The Curvv EV also comes with an IP67-rated battery pack.
So, what is the 'IP67'? Well, it defines the level of protection that a device offers against water and dust. 'IP' expands to 'Ingress Protection'. The first digit of the number that follows indicates the protection offered against dust, while the second stands for that against water ingress. '6' refers to complete protection against dust. '7' means that it can be immersed in depths of up to 1 metre, for up to 30 minutes.
So, is an IP67-rated battery fail-safe? Well, let's revisit the miserable plight that a BYD Seal owner had to face recently. The vehicle was completely damaged in a flood while it was still brand-new. It got submerged for a prolonged period, and this caused water and slush to damage the battery pack- the depth and length of exposure are critical in the water resistance of these batteries.
This owner soon approached the dealer and then the insurance company to get it fixed. He faced difficulties in getting the claim. We have detailed the incident in our previous story. The lesson here is that we should be educated on the actual scope of IP67 resistance cover. Also, if you are buying an EV, always make it a point to get the battery insured. Get the add-on and be at peace.
Floods On The Rise
Floods caused by torrential rain have become common in many Indian cities. Bengaluru, Mumbai, Gurgaon- you name it- are all prone to flooding. In many of these cities, people are forced to park their cars on streets or to wade through highly waterlogged areas. If the EV is parked on the streets or in an exposed patch of land, and if it floods overnight, the owner will be left with very little options to save his vehicle. In such cases, only a battery cover insurance add-on can be of use...