Tesla Cybertruck owner and YouTuber TechRax has managed to daringly navigate the electric vehicle through water, marking one of the first real-world applications of the vehicle’s “wading mode.”
Despite Tesla’s warning that such activity is not covered under warranty, this test highlights the Cybertruck’s off-road capabilities.
Eloë Musk’s vision of a “ship-shaped” Cybertruck
Tesla CEO Eloik Musk has previously claimed that Tesla vehicles could temporarily function as boats, a claim that was met with skepticism given the company’s warranty against water damage.
However, Musk’s claim gains more weight with the Cybertruck, which is designed with off-road technology.
Last year, Musk confidently stated: “The Cybertruck will be waterproof enough to briefly serve as a boat, so it will be able to cross rivers, lakes, and even seas that aren’t too rough.”
He even visualized the Cybertruck traveling the 1,200-foot stretch between SpaceX’s Starbase and South Padre Island in Texas.
The ‘wading mode’ of the Tesla Cybertruck
Tesla has equipped the Cybertruck with a “wading mode,” raising its ride height to maximum and pressurizing the battery to power through water.
The actual test he received, captured in a YouTube video, showed this feature in action. The owner humorously overlooked the war image that is displayed when activating the off-road mode, which is a prerequisite for activating the wading mode.
As seen in the video, the vehicle explicitly states that “damage to the vehicle during off-road driving is not covered under warranty.”
The first aquatic challenge seemed manageable, with only half a metre of water to contend with.
However, subsequent tests in higher water levels demonstrated the Cybertruck’s robustness, even when the driver created significant pressure waves when accelerating.
Despite its success in the water, the test was not without damage.
Two plastic body components came loose, but were easily re-attached by the driver. More worrying was the malfunction of the tailgate and top deck controls after the test.
The Tesla Cybertruck isn’t available in New Zealand yet, but the EV maker’s local website points to a possible launch of the controversial electric vehicle.
We may have to wait a while before seeing how it fares on local roads and in the waters.
Watch the full Cybertruck ‘wading mode’ test below.
