URGENT UPDATE: A viral video claiming to show a delivery drone dropping a car battery onto a parked car has been confirmed as a hoax. This video, initially released on April 1, 2015 by G&C Tire and Auto Service, a Virginia-based auto repair shop, was created as an elaborate April Fool’s Day marketing stunt. The video resurfaced recently in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on August 27, 2025, misleading viewers into thinking it depicted a real incident.
The 2015 video features a drone dropping a car battery onto a red vehicle, shattering its windshield. However, experts note that no consumer-grade drone from that era could lift a standard lead-acid battery, which typically weighs between 30 pounds and 50 pounds. The original video was part of a lighthearted promotion, complete with fictional incident reports to the Federal Aviation Administration, emphasizing that G&C was committed to safety over the fanciful concept of drone deliveries.
In the recent post, the drone is shown dropping the battery, followed by the drone itself crashing onto the car. This misleading representation has sparked outrage among viewers who believed the incident was legitimate. The G&C video was shared as a joke over eight years ago, and it was designed to highlight the impracticality of drone deliveries in the auto parts industry.
Officials and drone hobbyists have weighed in, stating that typical consumer drones could only handle a payload of about 2.5 pounds. The video’s resurgence has raised questions about the reliability of information shared on social media platforms, especially concerning new technologies.
As this story develops, experts urge viewers to verify the authenticity of viral content before sharing. The public’s reaction has been a mix of amusement and frustration, with many sharing the video as a cautionary tale about misinformation online.
Stay tuned for further updates on this story as more information becomes available.
