Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has offered an explanation for a bizarre incident in which the rear motor of a Tang EV fell out while driving through a flooded road in Shenyang.
Footage and photos shared on Chinese social media showed the SUV moving with the electric motor dangling underneath, still connected by a single orange high-voltage cable.
BYD stated that the motor detached after a severe underbody collision, not from water contact.
The driver was wading through floodwater, which may have been deeper before the video was taken.
A close-up image from CarNewsChina revealed that part of the motor's housing snapped off from the underside.
The Tang, a dual-motor EV, remained operational using its front motor for forward momentum.
BYD said it contacted the owner after the incident and inspected the vehicle. The cost of replacing the motor is expected to be significant.
