--- title: "Video Shows Tesla Driving Through Deep Flood Waters" description: "A recently surfaced video shows a Tesla Model 3 wading through deep flood waters, spraying water everywhere in the process." date: "2021-07-22" modified: "2021-07-22" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/video-tesla-driving-flood-waters" categories: - "Advanced Transport" - "Tesla" tags: - "Model 3" - "Shanghai" - "tesla" - "the digest" --- # Video Shows Tesla Driving Through Deep Flood Waters ![A recently surfaced video shows a Tesla Model 3 wading through deep flood waters, spraying water everywhere in the process.]() *\Image: codebear via Twitter\* ## Swim Lesson A recently surfaced video shows a Tesla Model 3 surging through deep flood waters [reportedly in China's Henan province](), an area [hard hit]() by historic floods this month. The vehicle can be seen spraying water high, but faring a whole lot better than the stalled gas-powered vehicles nearby. The vehicle's rear wheel drive appears to allow the Model 3 to actually motor its way through the water, like an overpowered paddle boat — a striking feat for a somewhat water resistant electric vehicle, though it's unclear whether the vehicle suffered long term damage. https://twitter.com/coderbear/status/1417449054011678721 ## Boat Ride Tesla CEO Elon Musk has bragged in the past that the company's other best-selling sedan, the Model S, can swim. "We \*def\* don’t recommended this, but Model S floats well enough to turn it into a boat for short periods of time," he [tweeted]() back in 2016. "Thrust via wheel rotation." Tesla's Gigafactory in Shanghai actually tests its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles by [simulating a flooded street](), as [*Teslarati* reports](). That's because China regularly experiences typhoons that can cause severe flooding. Despite its swimming prowess, driving a Tesla through floodwaters is a really terrible idea. While a gas engine is far more likely to be flooded and break down almost instantly, there's no point in risking your electric vehicle for a little stunt either. We also can't guarantee that such a stunt won't void any warranties with Tesla. **READ MORE:** [Crazy Tesla footage shows Model 3 attacking deep floodwaters in China]() \[*Teslarati*\] **More on swimming Teslas:** *[Elon Musk Says the Model S Can Float Like A Boat (But Maybe Don’t Try It)]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()