Electric Cars Submerged By Floods? Here's How To Handle It Safely

Photo illustration of Neta V-II while passing through the puddle area. (Doc. Neta Auto Indonesia)

JAKARTA Heavy rains that flushed the Jakarta to Bekasi areas caused flooding at various points. Water puddles submerged roads, housing, and hampered community activities.

For electric car owners, this condition certainly raises their own concerns. How to make sure the vehicle remains safe when flooded?

Senior Manager Aftersales of PT Neta Auto Indonesia, Januar Eka Sapta, emphasized that if an electric car is flooded, the first step that must be taken is not to start a vehicle.

"Essentially, vehicles must be turned off or not turned on during the evacuation process, especially for electric cars. This is very important because if electric cars are flooded, the risk of damage to the electrical system and the potential for more severe car damage can increase if the vehicle is turned on," Sapta said in a statement received on Saturday, March 8.

Then the car must be released manually because the car that has been submerged in water should not be turned on at all if it is not completely dry.

In addition, there are other procedures if electric cars pass through puddles on highways or housing:

Before crossing the puddle, make sure that the inundation depth is not more than half the height of the vehicle's tires. If the depth is higher, you should look for a safer alternative route.

Drivers are advised to reduce the speed of vehicles below 10 km/hour when passing through puddles to avoid damage to vehicles and ensure the safety of themselves and other motorists.

If the vehicle is caught in a traffic jam in an area inundated with water, make sure the vehicle does not stop for more than 30 minutes. If it exceeds that time, the driver is asked to take safe action, such as finding a safe location to stop or continue the journey carefully.