A Rivian R1T that was completely submerged during Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic flooding has remarkably survived and is still functional, according to a video shared on Facebook by Joshua Vincent Sauer.
In the footage, the Rivian is shown covered in thick mud, with the water level having reached its roof. The owner explained to Sauer that the vehicle was parked near the Swannanoa River in the Asheville, North Carolina area.
When the hurricane struck, the river overflowed, flooding the surrounding areas. The devastating flooding has hit the Southeast hard, particularly in North Carolina, resulting in over 100 fatalities and severe destruction.
Many roads and entire neighborhoods remain inaccessible due to floodwaters, with countless people in the region still without power and water services.
Sauer mentioned that when he returned, he found the truck more than 100 yards away from where it had been parked, carried by the floodwaters. (*InsideEVs* reached out to the truck’s owner on Reddit for more details and will provide updates if more information becomes available.)
Any conventional gasoline-powered vehicle would likely have been destroyed, as saltwater would infiltrate the engine, causing irreparable damage.
However, the Rivian, designed with water fording capabilities and the simpler design of an electric vehicle, has better defenses against water intrusion. But don’t just take my word for it—watch the video and see how the R1T continues to operate after being submerged in hurricane-level floodwaters.
The owner had fully expected to call his insurance company and report the vehicle as a total loss. But then a friend noticed the door handles automatically pop out, indicating that the battery was still active.
When the owner entered the vehicle, it started up as if nothing had happened. Since then, he has fast-charged the truck and driven it around town without encountering any issues.
It’s no accident that the Rivian survived this ordeal. While researching battery fires in flooded vehicles, I contacted Rivian to learn more about how they safeguard against water intrusion.
A spokesperson for the company explained that Rivian’s batteries are highly protected against floodwaters and are designed to minimize fire risks even if submerged.
“As part of our battery pack design, which is verified prior to installation in the vehicle, we monitor for any water ingress using our electrical isolation features,” the spokesperson told.
“We actively work to protect the customer and the vehicle from additional damage in events like these. Our extensive testing also includes salt spray assessments to ensure corrosion mitigation over the battery’s lifespan is robust.
Our isolation monitoring features in the electrical and electronic systems provide crucial detection.”
This isolation monitoring is critical, as it automatically cuts power if water intrusion is detected in the battery. Since the Rivian’s battery is still functioning, it likely means no water penetrated the sealed battery pack.
With climate change increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, electric vehicles like the Rivian are essential for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating further environmental damage.
It’s encouraging to see that EVs can withstand extreme flooding conditions. However, we urge all drivers—whether of gas-powered or electric vehicles—to be extremely cautious with flooded cars.
Corrosion and other damages may not be immediately visible, and using any flooded vehicle could pose serious risks.
If your EV still powers on after being flooded, it’s crucial to have it inspected by an authorized mechanic. In an emergency situation, when services are disrupted and mechanics are unavailable, it’s reassuring to know that a vehicle like the Rivian R1T can still function.