Tesla door design is targeted by new US automotive safety bill

(Bloomberg/Dana Hull and Richard Clough) — A US lawmaker is proposing legislation that would require manual door releases in new cars, a move to address growing safety concerns with the type of electrically powered handles popularized by Tesla Inc.

The measure from Representative Robin Kelly, an Illinois Democrat, calls for automobiles with electric door systems to include a clearly labeled mechanical latch that is “intuitive to use and readily accessible for the occupant.” It would also require means for first responders to gain access to vehicles when power is lost.

The bill introduced late Tuesday is the first indication that safety risks posed by electrically powered vehicle doors have drawn the attention of lawmakers on Capitol Hill. It adds to the growing scrutiny of electric vehicle doors following a series of incidents in which people were severely injured or died when they were unable to escape their vehicles.

Bloomberg News has reported extensively on modern door systems losing power unexpectedly, including after crashes. The investigation turned up at least 15 deaths in a dozen incidents in which occupants or rescuers were unable to open the doors of a Tesla that had crashed and caught fire. Bloomberg also reported that Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk insisted on electric doors even after potential safety concerns were raised internally.

“Elon Musk and his Tesla designs are not safe, nor efficient, and it has cost people their lives,” Kelly said in a statement that cited Bloomberg’s reporting. “When crashes or power loss leave drivers and passengers trapped inside their own cars, that is not innovation — it’s a safety failure.”

Tesla representatives did not respond to a request for comment. A top executive said in September that the company was working on a redesign of its door handles.

The Securing Accessible Functional Emergency Exit Act — or SAFE Exit Act — is set to be discussed along with several other measures during a legislative hearing on Jan. 13 before a House Energy & Commerce committee panel, which has oversight of auto industry issues. It’s unclear how much support the effort has with other lawmakers, and the bill may not end up being signed into law.

The proposed legislation would require rule changes within two years if it becomes law.

Regulatory Probes

Days after Bloomberg’s initial report in September, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into whether the doors are defective in certain Tesla Model Y SUVs. The auto safety regulator last month opened a probe into the emergency releases in certain Model 3 vehicles in response to claims from a Tesla owner that they are “hidden, unlabeled, and not intuitive to locate during an emergency.”

In China, transport authorities have proposed new safety standards to address risks posed by electrically powered door handles that sit flush against a vehicle’s body. The designs were pioneered by Tesla but have become commonplace in modern cars. The handles have also attracted growing concerns in the country following high-profile fatal crashes involving EVs made by Xiaomi Corp.

Last month, Tesla updated its website to say that after a serious collision is detected, hazard lights will turn on to increase visibility and “doors will automatically unlock for emergency access.”

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