Tesla addresses worldwide concerns over vehicle safety as proposed elimination of pop-out door handles approaches
In the ever-evolving world of automotive design, one feature has come under scrutiny: electronic door handles. These sleek, minimalist handles, first introduced by Tesla on the Model S in 2012, have since been adopted by brands such as Range Rover, Porsche, and Chinese EV manufacturers. However, concerns about their safety and usability are now at the forefront.
At the IAA Mobility show, Thomas Schafer, CEO of Volkswagen passenger cars, expressed his views, emphasizing the importance of customer-friendly functions. He criticised flush door handles, stating they are "terrible to operate". His sentiments were echoed by the author's personal experience, which involved being trapped inside early Tesla Model X and XPeng G6 vehicles, as well as experiencing pinched digits using flush door handles on a Porsche Taycan Turbo.
The issue of electronic door handles getting stuck, potentially trapping small fingers inside the mechanism, is not limited to fully flush designs but is exacerbated by the feature's non-necessity. This problem was experienced by the author when the door handles of an XPeng G6 froze shut, requiring a jug of hot water to open.
In response to potential Chinese regulations regarding electronic door handles, Tesla design chief Franz von Holzhausen announced that Tesla would combine electronic door handles with buttons for the manual door release to improve handling in emergencies. The redesigned door handles will incorporate both electronic and manual door-release mechanisms into one button.
Regulators in China are currently investigating fully retractable door handles due to safety concerns, potentially leading to a ban on new vehicles offering them. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US has also opened an investigation into around 174,000 Tesla Model Y cars from the 2021 Model Year due to door unlock issues.
Tesla, acknowledging the concerns, is redesigning its door handles to make them more intuitive for panic situations. The company has even dedicated a page on its website to guide customers on how to live with electronic door handles.
Despite their minimal improvements in aerodynamic performance, being primarily a styling choice, the debate surrounding electronic door handles continues. As safety remains a top priority in the automotive industry, it is likely that this controversy will persist until a satisfactory solution is found.
