Can EVs Handle Mumbai's Waterlogged Mayhem? The EV Safety Guide To Surviving The Monsoon

Updated: Friday, June 6, 2025, 10:32 [IST]

The monsoon is back, earlier than before, and as always, the roads in our major cities have started resembling the muddy rivers or over-silted lakes thanks to the usual attention paid to vital infrastructure over the rest of the year.

Why? You'll ask, we're talking about this waterlogging madness when it happens every year. Well, the quick answer to this is EVs and their growing popularity in the Indian automotive market and the effect the rain and standing water have on them...

Are EVs Safe To Drive During The Rains? And What's An IP Rating?

In a nutshell, yes, electric vehicles are inherently safe to drive or ride during the monsoon as all the electrical components are kept sealed away from where water can come into contact with them.

Electric vehicles usually come with Ingress Protection (IP) ratings (developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission) which grade the resistance of enclosures (the sealed battery pack and motor housing) against dust and liquids.

These ratings come in the form of two numbers, eg: IP 67. The first of these numbers refers to the protection offered against solid objects (like dust) and features a scale ranging from 0 (no protection) to 6 (no ingress of dust). The second number designates the enclosure's resistance against liquids and ranges from 0 (no protection) to 9 (high-pressure hot water from different angles).

EVs usually come with an IP rating of either IP 67 or 68. The Tata Punch EV, one of the most affordable electric cars in the country comes with an IP 67 rating, which means that its electric components are completely sealed off from dust (6) and from the effects of temporary immersion in water.

However, some EVs come with separate IP ratings for different components. A great example of this is Ather 450X that comes with an IP 67 rating for its battery pack. The Ather 450X's motor, on the other hand, features an IP 66 rating (sealed against dust and protected from powerful water jets). Finally, the controller for the electronic components in the 450X has an IP 65 rating (sealed from dust and protected from water jets).

So what do all these numbers/ratings mean for you on the road? Well in the case of the Tata Punch EV, this means that you can drive through the rain and waterlogged areas (more on that later) without any issue.

In the case of Ather 450X, your battery pack (which is mounted on the floor of the scooter) can survive a bit of time in the water while the motor will easily let you move around in the rain without any issue.

But an IP rating isn't the be-all and end-all of water and dust protection for your electric vehicle. There are two other numbers to look at that will ensure that your EV stays either away from the water altogether or can wade through without any issues. These are...

Ground Clearance & Water Wading - Drive Above Or Through The Rained-Out Roads

Every wannabe Indian car or bike owner usually looks at one figure before they purchase a new vehicle and no we're not talking about mileage or range here but rather the ground clearance.

With our roads resembling an off-road course for most of the year, a high ground clearance allows you to avoid bottoming out in every pothole that craters the road ahead of you. A high ground clearance also means that you drive or ride over most waterlogged roads. The Ather 450X mentioned earlier offers 170mm of ground clearance while the Tata Punch EV offers 190mm.

Another number to look out for is the water-wading capacity of your EV. This is the maximum depth of water that your vehicle can go through without damaging its critical components. In the case of the Ather 450X, the electric scooter can wade through water that stands up to 300mm. In the case of the Tata Punch EV, the water-wading capacity of this micro SUV is 350mm.

However, not everything is about these numbers. The way you drive or ride ensures that you're safe no matter how bad the roads are...

Driving/ Riding Though The Rain - Basics To Live By

If you find yourself caught in the rain as you're riding or driving, slow your vehicle down and maintain a lower speed and a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you.

Rain reduces grip levels and slowing down will allow you just that extra bit of time to react to bad roads or traffic ahead and can be the difference between a smooth journey and a crash.

If you're about to head out and see rain clouds threatening a downpour ensure that your tyre pressures are at the optimum levels. Also if possible, ensure that you check the tread levels on your tyres. Change them at the earliest, if the tread is low to ensure optimum grip levels.

Do switch on your lights as the first casualty of rain is the visibility. Remember, the better you can see ahead of you, the better the chance of avoiding an accident. Also, ensure that your windscreen is clean and clear of any debris or grime.

Finally, respect the rules of the road. Don't try and get into a gap that simply doesn't exist in a hurry to get to your destination. Drive safe, even if it means a few more minutes on the road.