Electric Vehicles: The Unsung Heroes of Resilience in the Face of Extreme Weather
The sky darkens, the rain intensifies, and the streets of Tunisia begin to flood. For many drivers, this is the beginning of a stressful experience. However, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events highlights a little-known advantage of electric vehicles: their resilience in the face of water.
"At BYD (Build Your Dreams), the leader in the sector, engineering is no longer just about performance, but a true armor against the elements," says Hajer Chekir.
Unwavering Stability
Forget about thermal car bodies modified for electric vehicles. "BYD models are based on the e-Platform 3.0, an architecture designed exclusively for electric vehicles," Chekir emphasizes. The masterstroke: the battery is integrated directly into the chassis. The result: a very low center of gravity and an extended wheelbase. As Bilel Neily, technical manager at BYD, explains, this design "adjusts the vehicle's balance, makes it more stable, and improves its resistance to wind, even at high speeds." In other words, where a conventional car might sway in strong winds or heavy rain, an electric vehicle remains literally stuck to the road.
Farewell to Breakdowns in the Rain
This is the nightmare of every driver: the engine stalling after inhaling water. With electric vehicles, this risk is a thing of the past. Why? Because an electric motor doesn't need to breathe. "A thermal vehicle inhales water through the air intake, which stops the engine dead. The electric motor, on the other hand, operates in a closed circuit, without air intake," Neily explains.
According to Chekir, thanks to the IP67 standard, BYD's high-voltage components are completely dustproof and can withstand temporary immersion up to a depth of one meter. Chekir reassures with common sense: the idea is not to turn your car into a boat, but to offer "maximum protection" if you're caught off guard by rising water. For the more curious, the spectacular Yangwang U8 is even capable of floating.
The Blade Battery
"The real brain of safety is the Blade Battery," Chekir confirms. It has survived the impossible: nail penetration tests, extreme pressures, and temperatures ranging from -30°C to +60°C. Even pierced, it doesn't catch fire. This reliability allows the electric vehicle to display such serenity, always prioritizing complete replacement in the event of a shock to guarantee that the original seal remains intact.
Less Mechanics, More Freedom
The other good news? The end of the ordeal of repeated maintenance. No oil, no filters to change, no squeaking belts. The routine: a simple check-up every 40,000 km. The timer: less than an hour in the workshop. The bonus: substantial savings in the long term.
Recharging is No Longer a Challenge
"If 80% of users recharge quietly at home, BYD is weaving its web in Tunisia," Chekir notes. From Tunis to Djerba, via Sfax and Sousse, charging stations are sprouting up on strategic axes. An interactive map now accompanies each driver so that "running out of battery" is no longer part of their vocabulary.
In the end, for Hajer Chekir, the challenge is clear: to prove that electric vehicles are no longer just an ecological alternative, but the safest and most adapted response to the climate challenges of our time.
