A Texas man was apprehended after police say he purposely drove his Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake to test the vehicle’s “Wade Mode” option, causing the truck to become disabled and begin taking on water.
According to the Grapevine Police Department, officers responded to Katie’s Woods Park Boat Ramp on Monday after receiving reports of a half-submerged Cybertruck near the coastline.
The driver allegedly informed investigators that he intentionally drove the vehicle into the lake to employ the Cybertruck’s “Wade Mode,” a capability that Tesla claims momentarily elevates the truck’s riding height and pressurizes the battery system to enable it handle shallow water and rugged terrain.
Authorities stated the experiment rapidly failed when the Cybertruck became dysfunctional in the water.
According to authorities, the driver and passengers were able to safely evacuate the vehicle before the Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team assisted in removing the truck from the lake. According to police, there were no injuries recorded.
Authorities tweeted photos of the stainless steel pickup partially submerged at the boat ramp while emergency services sought to remove it from the water.
The driver was arrested at the site for operating a vehicle in a closed park or lake and violating water safety equipment, according to police. The driver’s identity has not been disclosed.”We want to remind drivers that, while a vehicle may be physically capable of entering shallow freshwater areas, doing so can raise legal and safety concerns under Texas law,” the Grapevine Police Department stated in a Facebook post.
Grapevine Lake is a popular recreation spot in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, particularly for boating and fishing.
Tesla has actively promoted the Cybertruck’s tough off-road capabilities since its launch in late 2023.
The incident occurred after some Cybertruck owners released videos online demonstrating the electric pickup’s durability and off-road capabilities in mud, sand, and water crossings.
Tesla says “Wade Mode” is intended for shallow water crossings, but drivers should avoid water situations that exceed the vehicle’s capabilities.
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