Cybertruck Submerges in Ventura Harbor—Reality vs. Musk’s Promises

A Tesla Cybertruck sank while launching a jet ski in California, contradicting Elon Musk’s claims about its water resistance. Read about the incident and rescue operation.

Tesla’s Cybertruck has once again made headlines—but not for the right reasons. In Ventura Harbor, California, an owner of the futuristic electric pickup attempted to launch a jet ski but ran into a serious issue. Instead of smoothly driving back onto land, the Cybertruck sank beneath the water and disappeared to the bottom.

This incident comes just months after Elon Musk’s bold claims that the Cybertruck would be waterproof enough to serve as a temporary boat. The Tesla CEO insisted that the vehicle could handle river crossings and even navigate calm seas. He even suggested that the ultimate goal was for the truck to be able to cross the 360-meter water gap between SpaceX’s Starbase and South Padre Island in Texas.

Technically, the Cybertruck does include a "Wade Mode," which increases ride height and pressurizes the battery pack. However, this mode is activated through off-road settings—meaning it isn’t covered under Tesla’s warranty. In the case of the submerged Cybertruck in California, these theoretical capabilities seemingly made no difference.

Rescuing the vehicle turned into a large-scale operation involving multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, local firefighters, harbor patrol, and commercial tow services. The truck was eventually located and retrieved from the water with the help of divers.

This incident raises serious questions—not just about Cybertruck’s real-world water resistance but also about the gap between Elon Musk’s promises and actual performance. Tesla has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. Meanwhile, attention is shifting toward competitors like BYD, which recently introduced the Yangwang U8—an SUV that is genuinely capable of floating in emergency situations.

This case is another reminder that flashy marketing claims don’t always hold up in practice. While Tesla may claim that the Cybertruck can cross bodies of water, real-world experience suggests that testing this capability firsthand might not be the best idea.

Source: electrek.co