Why electric cars may handle flooded roads better than petrol and diesel vehicles
Automotive engineers suggest that electric vehicles may be more resilient to flooded roads than internal combustion engine vehicles. Unlike petrol or diesel cars, which risk engine failure through water intake, EVs lack air-intake systems that are susceptible to hydrolock.
Why it matters
As urban flooding becomes more frequent, understanding vehicle safety and maintenance is critical for consumer decision-making and insurance claims.
NEW DELHI: Urban flooding is becoming a fixture in India’s monsoon reality and many drivers assume that electric vehicles are the first to fail because of their batteries. But automotive engineers say it's the reverse.Every monsoon, the story is the same. Sheets of water swallow up roads, underpasses become lakes and motorists nervously pick their way through flooded streets, hoping their vehicles will make it home. With the rain comes another yearly debate: are electric cars safe in water? Videos of EVs under water often stoke fears of electrocution or battery explosions, perpetuating the notion that battery-powered cars and floodwaters don’t mix. But that’s one of the biggest myths surrounding electric mobility, say auto experts. In fact, a properly constructed electric car may be better suited to the common urban flood than a petrol or diesel-powered one.
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