Tesla driver ploughs through a foot of floodwater to reach power charging point

Taking charge! Tesla driver ploughs through a foot of floodwater to reach power charging point – and tops up the electric vehicle while ankle-deep in liquid

Man supposedly named Jake braved floods to reach charging points in Berkshire
He stood in water which engulfed grounds after River Loddon burst its banks
Eye-witness said driver ‘took a terrible risk’ due to holding electric cable in flood

By Miriam Kuepper For Mailonline

Published: 15:37 GMT, 16 January 2023 | Updated: 17:50 GMT, 16 January 2023

A motorist was pictured driving through a foot of floodwater to reach a power charging point – and topping up his Tesla vehicle while he was standing in water.

The man, who gave his name as Jake, from Oxfordshire, drove through floods to reach the power charging points erected in a car park of a hotel in Berkshire.

Passers-by watched as he reversed up to one of the stations, got out of his car and plugged the vehicle into the mains.

After plugging his car in, he got into the back seat of the Tesla and calmly waited for the charge to trickle into the batteries.

A man who said his name was Jake, from Oxfordshire, drove into floods to reach power charging points erected in a car park of a hotel in Berkshire. Passers-by watched as he reversed up to one of the charging stanchions, got out of his car into more than a foot of floodwater which had engulfed the electricity charging points and plugged the vehicle into the main – ignoring the risk of potential electrocution, they thought

After plugging his car in, he got into the back seat of the Tesla and calmly waited for the charge to trickle into the batteries

Photos were taken by a passer-by near the hotel in Sindlesham, near Reading.

They show the driver standing in the middle of floodwater which engulfed the hotel grounds and the Tesla charging area after the nearby River Loddon burst its banks.

Roads just a few yards away were made impassable by the waist-deep water.

One eye-witness said: ‘He took a terrible risk. The electric charging points were engulfed in the floods and so was the parking area.

‘The water was up to the top of his car’s wheel arches. He was standing in the floodwater holding the electric cable which he plugged into his car.’

As these photos, taken by a passer-by near the hotel in Sindlesham, near Reading, Berkshire, show, the driver was standing in the middle of flood water which engulfed the hotel grounds and the Tesla charging area after the nearby River Loddon burst its banks and sent millions of gallons of water cascading into the hotel grounds. Nearby roads, just a few yards away, were made impassable by the waist-deep water

Is charging an electric car in the rain or during a flood dangerous?

Electric vehicles, cables, adaptors and charging points are designed to withstand all weather conditions, including water ingress.

Plus, the charging adaptor can be plugged in even if it’s pouring down outside.

So, whether you’re charging up on the driveway or at a public charge point, there’s nothing to worry about if you’re caught in a downpour.

How does this work?

Electric vehicles are created with numerous safety systems, including those to protect you when charging up. These include:

Safety at charging stations

When you plug your car in, your vehicle and the charging point establish that everything is working correctly. If it’s not, it won’t charge up, and no electricity will flow through.

Electricity doesn’t run through the charger or cable when you first plug it in. Once safety is confirmed, electricity flows and the charging starts.

Specially designed electric components

Manufacturers have designed electric cars with specialised components, so you don’t have to worry about coming into contact with dangerous electrical parts.

So whether you’re charging your vehicle in rain, snow or ice, it is safe to do so without fear of water or particle ingress affecting your safety.

Sources: Pentagon Motor Group

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