Texas Man Arrested After Driving Tesla Cybertruck Into Lake to Test ‘Wade Mode’

A man in Texas has been arrested after allegedly intentionally driving his Tesla Cybertruck into a lake to test the vehicle’s “Wade Mode” feature.

According to the Grapevine Police Department, officers were called to Grapevine Lake in north Texas on Monday after the Cybertruck became stuck in the water and was abandoned by the driver and passengers after taking on water.

Tesla’s online manual states that Wade Mode allows the Cybertruck to “enter and drive through bodies of water, such as rivers or creeks,” with a maximum depth of approximately 81.5cm (32 inches).

Police said the driver was arrested on charges of operating a vehicle in a closed section of the lake, along with other water safety equipment violations.The partially submerged vehicle was later removed from the shoreline on the south side of the lake with assistance from the Grapevine Fire Department Water Rescue Team.

In a police statement, authorities said the driver admitted he intentionally drove into the lake to test the Cybertruck’s “Wade Mode” feature, but the vehicle later became disabled and started taking in water.

Police also warned that although some vehicles may be capable of entering shallow freshwater areas, doing so can raise legal and safety concerns under Texas law.

“We wouldn’t encourage willingly driving your vehicle into the water,” said Katharina Gamboa of the Grapevine Police Department in comments reported by CBS News. “It’s a safety concern, but it’s also a legal concern as well.”

The Tesla Cybertruck, an electric pickup truck built with bullet-resistant steel materials, was unveiled in 2019 and officially launched to the public in 2023. The vehicle reportedly sells for more than $70,000.

Tesla’s owner’s manual states that drivers are responsible for determining the depth of any body of water before entering it and notes that damage caused by water ingress is not covered under warranty.

The company further advises drivers to return to shallow water or dry land if water levels become too deep and warns against driving through fast-flowing water or strong currents.