A Tesla Cybertruck owner in Florida has been arrested after driving his electric pickup into a lake to test its advertised ‘wade mode’ capability. The incident, which occurred yesterday afternoon at Lake Tohopekaliga near Kissimmee, resulted in the vehicle becoming submerged and the driver facing charges of reckless driving and environmental damage.
The driver, 34 year old Mark Renshaw, told deputies he was “simply following the instructions in the owner’s manual.” However, Tesla’s manual for the Cybertruck states that wade mode is intended for crossing shallow water up to 30 inches deep, not for full submersion. The lake depth at the entry point is estimated at 12 feet.
Renshaw’s truck was retrieved this morning by a salvage team. The lithium ion battery pack, which is sealed for water resistance but not designed for prolonged immersion, is believed to have short circuited, causing the vehicle to lose all power within 30 seconds of entering deep water. Renshaw was forced to escape through a window and swim to shore.
This is not the first time Tesla’s wade mode has been misunderstood. In 2022, a Model X driver attempted to cross a tidal estuary in Cornwall and was rescued by the RNLI. But the Cybertruck, with its claimed exoskeleton and bulletproof glass, seems to inspire a particularly high degree of misplaced confidence.
The physics of electric vehicles and water is straightforward: a battery short circuit can produce hydrogen gas, and a thermal runaway event can result in a fire that is extremely difficult to extinguish. Even if the battery seals hold, salt water is conductive and will eventually compromise insulation. The Cybertruck’s wade mode simply raises the suspension and locks the differentials; it does not turn the vehicle into a submarine.
Renshaw faces charges of reckless driving causing environmental damage and is due in court next month. He could face up to 60 days in jail and a fine of $1,000. The truck, a write off, will be recycled for parts.
This incident underscores a growing pattern of drivers misinterpreting marketing features as invitations to ignore basic physics. As climate change intensifies, we are likely to see more extreme weather events requiring true amphibious capability. The Cybertruck is not that vehicle. It remains a very capable truck for certain off road conditions, but for now, wade mode should be trusted only for puddles, not ponds.
