The Tesla Cybertruck introduces a feature called "Wade Mode," a functionality that, according to the automaker, pressurizes the battery pack, enabling the vehicle to navigate through water. This appears to validate some of Tesla's previous assertions about the truck's capability to operate in water, a claim that wasn't previously taken seriously due to Tesla's warranty guidelines regarding water exposure.
Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, has often made bold claims about Tesla vehicles, including the idea that they could briefly function as boats. However, these claims have typically not been considered seriously, given the warranty disclaimers.
With the Cybertruck, Musk reinforced these assertions, suggesting that the truck would be sufficiently waterproof to navigate across rivers, lakes, and calmer seas. He even highlighted a specific goal for the Cybertruck: to cross the water between SpaceX's Starbase and South Padre Island in Texas, covering a distance of approximately 360 meters (1,100 feet).
Now that Tesla has commenced deliveries of the Cybertruck, it seems that the vehicle's capability to navigate through water wasn't just empty talk. As part of the Cybertruck's Off-Road Mode, Tesla has incorporated a specialized "Wade Mode," solidifying its intent for off-road functionality and water traversal.
The Off-Road Mode's Wade Mode is intriguing with its promise to pressurize the battery pack. While Tesla's packs are usually sealed and resilient against water for brief periods, this new capability hints at added protection. Yet, it might be prudent to review the warranty before confidently navigating the truck through water.
--------This article is partly excerpted from Not a Tesla APP.