Tesla Cybertruck driver arrested after driving into lake to use 'wade mode', police say
BBC • • business
Key Points:
- A man in Texas was arrested after intentionally driving his Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake to test the vehicle's "wade mode," which allows driving through water up to 32 inches deep.
- The Cybertruck became disabled and took on water, leading the driver and passengers to abandon it; the vehicle was later recovered with assistance from the Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team.
- The driver faces charges for operating a vehicle in a closed section of the lake and violating water safety equipment regulations, with police emphasizing the legal and safety risks of driving vehicles into water.
- Tesla's manual warns drivers to assess water depth before entering and states that damage from driving in water is not covered by the warranty, despite the Cybertruck's capability to handle shallow water.
- The Tesla Cybertruck, made from bulletproof steel and priced above $70,000, was launched in 2019 and became publicly available in 2023.