Tesla CEO Says Model S Doubles as a Boat
Apparently water and electric cars can go together.
It’s understandable to think an electric car driving through a flood would have terrible results, but one Tesla Model S owner in Kazakhstan drove through a flooded tunnel and CEO Elon Musk approved. Naturally this isn’t something Musk recommends, but he doesn’t hesitate to claim that the Model S “floats well enough to turn it into a boat for short periods of time.”
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By no means is the Tesla Model S an amphibious car, but it does bring up another benefit of electric-battery power compared to a standard combustion engine. Standard gasoline engines that use an intake would have disastrous results once water hits the engine bay, but the Model S churns on despite being submerged in quite a bit of water.
It also seems that Musk has an interest in creating a car that can be submerged underwater. In a follow up tweet, he references a “TSWLM car,” pointing to James Bond’s Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me that could transform into a submarine.
Tesla owner drives through a flooded tunnel & out the other side https://t.co/RmPxdZShhq
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 19, 2016
We *def* don’t recommended this, but Model S floats well enough to turn it into a boat for short periods of time. Thrust via wheel rotation.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 19, 2016
If curious abt TSWLM car, am still planning to do a sports sub car that can drive on roads. Just a side project. Limited market potential 🙂
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 19, 2016
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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let's allay any fears to rest: "sheet metal panel gaps" that have been reported guarantee it won't be used as a boat :)