US Congress targets EV door handles with new bill
The bill was introduced to Congress on January 6 by Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02). The ‘SAFE Exit’ act would force the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue new rules establishing ‘performance and labeling requirements for electric doors’. If passed, this would be the first federal standard introduced for EV doors.
The act would force EV manufacturers to install ‘easy-to-find’ manual releases for each electronic door, and enable emergency services to access vehicles from outside in the case of power loss. How this would be achieved without either compromising vehicle security or restricting the use of recessed door handles is unclear.
The press release for the bill specifically mentions Tesla, referring to the automaker’s use of flush door handles which pop out when a phone key or key card is near: “Today, US Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced a bill addressing safety concerns with electric vehicle doors, including Tesla’s doors that have trapped people in their own cars. At least 15 people have died in car crashes due to Tesla doors not opening.”
Rep. Kelly himself added; “Profits and, least of all, style, should not come before people’s lives. Elon Musk and his Tesla designs are not safe, nor efficient, and it has cost people their lives. When crashes or power loss leaves drivers and passengers trapped inside their own cars, that is not innovation – it’s a safety failure. Just like requiring base safety standards like seatbelts, my SAFE Exit Act will protect consumers. As the auto industry continues to innovate, we must ensure people’s safety.”
It’s worth noting that the Tesla Model 3 does have a manual door release fitted to the front interior window switches, as well as a manual release fitted inside the door cup holder in the rear seats. It’s unclear what further measures the Act would require Tesla and other automakers to take in order to comply with the new rules.
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