Tesla to Revamp Doorhandles Triggering Safety Concerns
Tesla Redesigns Door Handles for Enhanced Safety and Usability
Tesla, the American electric vehicle manufacturer, is redesigning its door handles in response to safety concerns and complaints about malfunctioning doors. The goal of the redesign is to combine the electronic and manual door-release mechanisms into one intuitive button, making it easier for occupants to exit the vehicle in a panic situation.
The redesign comes after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into Tesla doors, citing incidents in which exterior handles stopped working and trapped children inside. The investigation covers an estimated 174,290 Model Y SUVs from the 2021 model year.
NHTSA will also assess Tesla's approach to supplying power to the door locks and the reliability of the applicable power supplies. This follows a Bloomberg News investigation that uncovered a series of incidents in which people were injured or died after being unable to open doors due to a loss of power, particularly after crashes.
Tesla's vehicles have interior manual releases, but their locations can be difficult to find, especially for rear seat passengers, as the placement varies by model and year. Critics argue that the flush-to-the-door handle design popularized by Tesla can complicate rescue efforts and put the onus on passengers to find manual release latches they're not accustomed to using.
In China, a top regulator is reportedly considering a ban on fully concealed door handles. This move aligns with incremental measures Europe has implemented to improve post-crash rescue protocols.
Tesla's design chief, Franz von Holzhausen, did not specify what prompted the company to explore a redesign. However, he did confirm that Tesla is prepared to make necessary changes to its door design.
The redesign is part of Tesla's ongoing commitment to safety and user experience. Franz von Holzhausen has been responsible for design development across Tesla's vehicle lineup and the recently launched diner in Los Angeles.
While Tesla's vehicles have performed well in government-administered crash tests, most tests focus on impact survivability and not whether occupants can exit the vehicle afterwards. As Tesla continues to innovate and push the boundaries of automotive design, it will be interesting to see how the redesigned door handles will impact safety and user experience.
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