There is sufficient documentation of burned electric cars, the fires are often devastating.

It cannot be said that fear is a part of everyday life in the editorial office, the electric car has long been an integral part and is always dutifully parked in the editorial underground car park.

After all, an electric car is just a car.

That's why it should survive downpours without short-circuiting itself or even the driver.

As far as we know, the concern about this is unfounded, rain and splash water cannot harm the well-protected battery.

Holger Apple

Editor in business, responsible for “Technology and Engine”.

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Now it happened that the Japanese manufacturer invited Toyota to present its first electric car, it bears the bizarre name BZ4X.

BZ because hip and meaning beyond zero, 4X because model hierarchy and crossover design.

The guys from the technical crew are of the opinion that with their raised school shopping shuttle there should be a trip to the afterlife, and if there happens to be mud waiting there, then just keep your eyes open and through.

And if there happens to be a river waiting there?

We, of course not cowards by profession, didn't hesitate for a watt hour and gave electricity through the artificially created current.

As these lines were written, no lightning struck the author, nor did he die in the middle of the river and have to swim to the edge.

Not even the bilge pump in the footwell was needed, the Toyota simply dipped in on one side and out on the other.

After that we drove on as if nothing had happened.

Except for the traces of mud on the paint.

Toyota, just a little irritated by a recall due to loose wheel hub bolts in the process, dived into development and revealed what was slumbering underground.

In order to enable the fording depth of 50 centimetres, which is rather unexpected for a battery-electric SUV in this class, the differential gear, wheel bearings and the assembly of the transaction battery had to be designed to be dirt-water resistant.

It's practical if you have decades of experience with off-road vehicles like a Landcruiser or Hilux on the shelf.

The BZ4X is allowed to feel a little bit like their heritage.

The differential gears and wheel bearings have shaft sealing rings (Simmerrings) and housing ventilation protected against water ingress.

So far, so profane.

Sealing the traction battery is more complex.

The fully encapsulated assembly with its own coolant circuit requires a ventilation system that compensates for temperature-related pressure changes when heating up and cooling down.

Otherwise the housing could be deformed due to excess or negative pressure.

A pressure membrane integrated into the housing is used here, which ensures pressure equalization when the traction battery heats up during the charging process and while driving, as well as during cooling, and at the same time prevents the ingress of dirty water.

Pressure equalization on mountain trips is also possible in this way.

In the event of a sudden increase in pressure, a one-way safety valve opens and allows the excess pressure to escape.

This can happen when the assembly deforms from a high kinetic energy accident.

That left the cables.

The electrical connections have a double housing seal.

The all-round rubber sleeves protect against kinking, ventilation openings help with drying.

Well, nothing is impossible.