BYD Clarifies Incident of Tang EV with Detached Electric Motor in Shenyang

Chinese automaker BYD has issued a clarification following the circulation of photos and videos on social media platforms showing a BYD Tang EV driving on a road in Shenyang during heavy rain with its electric motor nearly detached. The incident sparked speculation that the electric motor may have come loose while the vehicle was crossing a flooded road. However, BYD stated that the water level on the road, based on the circulating images, was only around 2.5 to 5 cm, making it unlikely to cause the motor to detach. The company suggested the SUV likely suffered a severe impact to its underbody when the driver ploughed through a flooded section, and that the water level may have been deeper before the recording began. Close-up images shared online by CarNewsChina showed part of the motor housing had broken off from the vehicle’s undercarriage, with only a high-voltage orange cable connecting the motor to the car. The vehicle is believed to be a dual-motor variant, and after the rear motor detached, it relied on the front motor for propulsion. BYD confirmed it has contacted the owner and deployed staff to inspect the vehicle.