Vadodara youth rides submarine Ola electric scooter in flooded street: Risks explained

With the arrival of the monsoon season, Indians are finding relief from the recent heat waves. However, this season also brings along with some challenges for motorists, including flooded roadways in some parts of the cities. In a similar situation in Vadodara, Gujarat, a youth put the Ola electric scooter under a unique and rather unthoughtful test.The video has been shared on Instagram and has since garnered over 2 million views. It shows the rider submerging the EV almost fully in a flooded street - so much so that only the headlight of the scooter remained outside water.
On the surface, the video shows a rosy picture for EVs which, unlike their ICE counterparts, lack exhaust pipes, making them less prone to severe water damage. The scooter appeared to be unharmed and comfortably crossed the waterways. However, is it really safe to attempt something like this? Ideally, the idea shouldn’t be considered in any such scenario irrespective of the type of vehicle but here, let’s discuss a few risks associated with it.
Risks associated with submerging EVs in flooded streets
Battery and motor woes: While generally well-sealed, battery packs aren't entirely waterproof. Deep water exposure can lead to corrosion, electrical issues, and even electric shocks and fire risks in extreme cases. Besides that, in some cases, more than the depth of water, the time spent in water should be an area of concern. Besides that, long water exposure can also cause significant damage to motor, resulting in costly repairs.

Hidden dangers: Flooded streets often hide unseen hazards like potholes or swer covers. Hitting these underwater can cause severe damage to the scooter's undercarriage and motor. Sometimes, if those are big enough, it can completely drown the scooter as well as the rider, putting the safety of both at extreme risk.

Warranty Woes: Manufacturer warranties typically don't cover water damage caused by reckless riding and water ingress, more so in cases when it is done intentionally like in the video. So, that seemingly harmless stunt could end up burning a hole in your pocket.