Tesla intends to revamp its door handles in response to incidents of passengers becoming trapped in the vehicles
Tesla Investigates Potential Door Redesign for Improved Emergency Exit
Tesla is currently investigating a potential redesign of its car doors, aiming to improve emergency exit in response to several accidents and owner complaints. The move comes after a series of incidents where individuals have found themselves trapped in their Teslas due to door handle problems, some of which have resulted in injuries.
According to the current design, Tesla doors feature separate manual and electronic release mechanisms. However, in the event of power loss following a crash, the doors must be opened using a manual door release located inside the vehicle. The location of these manual release buttons can be challenging to find, especially for young children or unfamiliar passengers, posing a potential safety issue.
Bloomberg's investigation revealed 140 incidents of people being trapped in their Teslas, with several resulting in injuries. In some instances, post-crash fires have been a safety concern due to rescuers' inability to open the doors. This has led to tragic outcomes, with passengers killed or severely burned.
Tesla's design chief, Franz von Holzhausen, has suggested a potential solution to this issue. He proposes combining the manual and electronic release mechanisms into one button, making exiting the car easier and quicker in a 'panic situation.'
However, there are no publicly available details about Tesla's specific plans to unify electronic and manual door unlocking mechanisms in panic situations, nor about the timeline for implementing such changes in the production process. It is also unclear whether Tesla is working on a door fix for all its existing models.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation based on owner complaints about being unable to open Tesla doors. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains to be seen how Tesla's proposed changes will address the concerns raised.
The door handles of Tesla Model S and X extend and retract, while Model 3 and Y mechanically flip out. The latter design may be easier to operate in emergency situations. However, the Model S and X door handle design may pose unique challenges in emergency situations.
The proposed change is currently being worked on by Tesla, and it is hoped that it will lead to a safer driving experience for all Tesla users. The company will undoubtedly provide updates as the redesign progresses.
