Tesla Revises Door Handle Design Due to Safety Concerns
Elon Musk’s Tesla is reconsidering its unique flash door handle design following reports of children becoming trapped inside vehicles due to issues with electronic controls. The company is now looking to add more visible manual controls to facilitate escape in emergency situations.
Recent discussions with Tesla’s chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, revealed plans to enhance accessibility in their Model Y SUV. This decision was prompted by complaints from parents who noted that their children were unable to exit the car when the vehicle’s 12-volt battery was low, making the electronic door controls inoperable.
The distinctive flash door handles, which have been a hallmark since the Model S debuted in 2012, are now under scrutiny. Concerns have grown regarding the accessibility of manual door releases in emergencies, leading the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate an investigation after receiving several complaints.
Alongside the NHTSA probe, Tesla is also monitoring potential regulatory changes in China, where authorities are contemplating a ban on hidden door handles. Von Holzhausen has stated that the company is carefully examining upcoming laws and aims to develop effective solutions for compliance.
Though Tesla vehicles are equipped with manual overrides designed for emergencies, many users have expressed frustration over the controls’ accessibility. A recent Bloomberg report illustrated various incidents where the intricate door designs complicated evacuation efforts in urgent situations.
A notable incident involved a Tesla caught on fire in Canada, where the driver had to break a window to escape after the electric door handles failed to function.
In that case, the driver reported losing power to all electrical components, making it impossible for the doors or windows to operate. “Of course, there’s always a panic that occurs the moment you feel trapped,” he said, recounting how he eventually kicked out a window and called for help as smoke filled the cabin.
In light of these concerns, Tesla Chairman Robin Denholm assured stakeholders that the board is taking all safety reports seriously. She reiterated that their vehicles do include manual overrides but acknowledged the growing consumer and regulatory worries, prompting a reevaluation of their door handle design.
