In heavy rain, are new energy vehicles more waterproof than ordinary cars?

Audit expert: Wang Jinlu

Shenzhen Lingkang Technology Co., Ltd., Power Supply R&D Director

Recently, affected by Typhoon Dusurui, Beijing suffered from heavy rainstorms from July 29 to August 2, while Typhoon Kanu was heading towards the three northeastern provinces. The large-scale rainfall brought high rainfall to various places and even caused floods.

Source: Screenshot from Beijing Daily website

How should we protect the safety of vehicles and property during heavy rainfall? What should we do when our car encounters heavy rain and water accumulation?

Source: pixabay

1. New energy vehicles are more waterproof than ordinary cars

When facing heavy rainfall and waterlogging, the first thing to be tested is the car's wading ability. In this regard, there are still some differences between ordinary cars and new energy vehicles.

The power source of ordinary cars is generally an internal combustion engine. Their electrical components and system layout are relatively simple, and they are not specially designed for waterproofing considering water wading capabilities. Therefore, their key components are more susceptible to water damage.

New energy vehicles, such as pure electric vehicles (BEV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), due to the presence of high-voltage components such as motors and batteries, most of them take waterproof measures in key parts such as batteries, motors, and electronic control systems, such as waterproof sealing rings, waterproof sealants, etc., to prevent water intrusion from causing short circuits or failures, and protect key components from damage. Therefore, they can pass through some shallow flooded sections without being greatly affected . Their specific wading capabilities vary depending on the model and manufacturer.

Generally speaking, some new energy vehicles can wade through water to a depth of tens to hundreds of millimeters. Mainstream electric vehicle manufacturers on the market now generally require a protection level of IP67.

IP67 is an international standard used to evaluate the protection level of electronic equipment or other products. The first number indicates the protection against solid objects, and the second number indicates the protection against liquids.

In the IP67 rating, the number 6 indicates the highest level of protection against solid objects, which is complete protection. This means that the product is protected against the ingress of solid objects of any size, including dust, sand and other fine particles. The number 7 indicates the highest level of protection against liquids, which is complete waterproofing.

That is to say, new energy vehicles with IP67 can be immersed in water with a depth of no more than 1 meter for 30 minutes without being damaged.

However, whether it is an ordinary car or a new energy vehicle, caution is still required when wading, and avoid too deep waterways or long periods of immersion. If the vehicle encounters a large amount of water, wades too deep, or is immersed in water for a long time, it may cause damage to the battery and electrical system, resulting in circuit short circuits or corrosion of circuit connectors, causing problems such as insufficient cylinder compression, damage to the piston and connecting rod, and internal corrosion of the cylinder. In severe cases, it may even cause the engine to be scrapped.

After wading in water, ordinary cars may need more repair work, such as replacing flooded parts, repairing damaged circuits, etc. However, due to the waterproof design, new energy vehicles can usually maintain normal operation better after wading in water, reducing the need for repair and maintenance work.

However, whether it is an ordinary car or a new energy car, it is necessary to check whether the vehicle's electronic system and battery are operating normally in time. If there is any abnormality, it is best to contact the dealer or professional technicians to check and repair it.

It is worth mentioning that when wading, maintaining a moderate vehicle speed can help reduce the waves caused by the wheels in the water , reduce the impact force, reduce the possibility of water entering the vehicle chassis and other sealed parts, and provide sufficient traction so that the vehicle can better pass through the flooded areas.

In fact, the best way to deal with extreme weather is to take precautions and pay attention to prevent it from happening. We should always pay attention to early warning information, plan routes in advance according to weather conditions, and take protective measures.

Even so, we may encounter the worst case scenario - if the electric car is soaked in water and faces danger, what should we do?

Source: pixabay

2. The car was flooded. How to save yourself and the car?

There are two main types of dangerous areas that you may encounter when driving during heavy rain: one is the tunnel bridge, and the other is muddy, low-lying areas.

After the vehicle is flooded, the first thing to do is to ensure your own safety. If you encounter rising water, please evacuate the vehicle as soon as possible and make sure to stay away from the flooded area, especially if there are power lines around the vehicle. Do not risk going into the water to check the condition of the vehicle.

If the vehicle is only slightly wet or water is found to have entered the cabin, please pay attention to whether the electrical equipment and chassis components in the vehicle are functioning normally. If any abnormality is found, contact professional technicians in a timely manner for inspection and repair. If the vehicle has been submerged, as long as the water does not cover the windows, there is basically no danger to life, so do not try to start the engine.

Starting the engine may aggravate the damage, and starting a new energy vehicle may cause a short circuit in the electrical system, leading to electrical failure or electric shock risk. In the most serious cases, the battery may explode and ignite after a short circuit, threatening life safety.

Source: Car Attitude

If conditions permit, disconnect the vehicle's power source as soon as possible, including unplugging the negative cable from the vehicle's battery, which can help prevent a short circuit and further electrical damage, and then attempt to tow the vehicle to dry land.

If there is no professional towing equipment, you can seek help from nearby and use a tow rope or rope to tow the vehicle out of the water. At the same time, quickly contact a professional vehicle rescue service or dealer, inform them of the flooded vehicle, and follow their advice.

Treating a flooded vehicle may require specialist equipment and skills and is best left to a professional who will be able to provide the correct guidance and treatment recommendations for your particular vehicle.

3. Can new energy vehicles be charged on rainy days?

New energy vehicles rely on the waterproof design of related equipment and can be charged in the rain.

At present, most charging equipment has supporting facilities such as rainproof sheds, which can work normally on rainy days. However , if the charging pile is exposed outdoors, it is best not to choose such a charging pile to charge on rainy days, because heavy rain in extreme weather may cause electrical equipment failure or electric shock risks.

To ensure safety, it should be noted that if the plug of the charging device needs to be exposed outdoors during use, you can choose a plug and socket with waterproof and dustproof functions, while ensuring good contact and connection.

In addition, find a suitable charging location: choose a relatively dry charging location without stagnant water. Avoid charging in areas with heavy rain or stagnant water to prevent water from entering the charging device and the vehicle's plug. Most importantly, when connecting and disconnecting the charging device, make sure you do not come into contact with wet surfaces or puddles, and try to use dry hands or wear waterproof gloves to ensure personal safety.

Although new energy vehicles can be charged on rainy days, safety is the first principle. If you are unsure about the charging equipment or charging environment or have safety concerns, it is recommended to suspend charging and consult relevant professionals or contact the manufacturer of the charging equipment for more detailed advice.

Source: pixabay

In short, cars need to be driven carefully in heavy rain and waterlogging conditions, avoid wading and deep water areas, and people should remain vigilant during large-scale rainfall seasons and make appropriate arrangements and decisions based on the weather and related alert information. At the same time, in daily use, it is also recommended to regularly check the sealing and waterproof performance of the vehicle to ensure safe driving.