Rivian R1T Reveals Its Fording Ability in Mojave, California

• A Rivian R1T owner demonstrated this once more when fording a river in the Mojave, California.
• Rivian R1T is good at water fording. Water is an issue for the majority of internal combustion cars, which is why wading is not recommended unless the vehicle is specially equipped for such adventures.
• This is why Rivian claims the wading depth of the R1T as 3+ feet (about one metre) and tests the electric truck accordingly.

Water is an issue for the majority of internal combustion cars, which is why wading is not recommended unless the vehicle is specially equipped for such adventures. This entails both the use of a snorkel to assist the engine in breathing air from above the water's surface and the waterproofing of the electrical components. If the water is sucked into the engine, a hydro lock may occur, resulting in serious internal damage. This is due to the fact that water, unlike air, is incompressible.

These are issues that electric vehicles are unconcerned with. They do not require air to operate, and as long as the electrical components like the battery, power electronics, and electric motors are sealed against water, they do not mind being submerged underwater. This has been demonstrated often by EV owners, but it is highly discouraged.

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Crossing water fords is, nevertheless, part of the job description of an off-road-oriented pick-up truck. This is why Rivian claims the wading depth of the R1T as 3+ feet (about one metre) and tests the electric truck accordingly. As demonstrated by one owner in Mojave, California, this provides drivers with sufficient confidence to cross rivers.

Nuwan Rajapakse released a video of "his first water crossing with his new R1T." Although the R1T appears to submerge less than it did during internal testing, the water depth is still over the tyre level. This would have halted the majority of ICE cars, yet the R1T easily navigates the river.

Although a Rivian pickup truck is capable of crossing three feet of water, this does not imply it should. The R1T is still made of metal, and metal and water never mix well. Finally, but certainly not least, you will almost certainly be stuck with your proud electric submarine, as nobody in their right mind would buy a submerged car.