Tesla has agreed to redesign its door handles in order to make it easier to escape

Tesla is redesigning its door handles so drivers and passengers can more easily escape in the case of an emergency.

Earlier this month, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into the automaker’s electrically powered doors to see if they posed a safety risk.

That investigation was launched following reports of owners being unable to get out of their vehicles when there was no electrical power.

According to Bloomberg, the NHTSA has received 140 complaints about Tesla doors becoming stuck since 2018, so it’s no small issue.

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Tesla is redesigning its door handles

Tesla was one of the first carmakers to introduce motorized flush door handles. 

Currently, Tesla vehicles do have a mechanical backup system in the cabin, but its location varies by model, and it can be hard to find.

It could also be more difficult for backseat passengers and children to operate. 

“Although Tesla vehicles have manual door releases inside of the cabin, in these situations, a child may not be able to access or operate the releases even if the vehicle’s driver is aware of them,” the NHTSA said. 

Shortly after the investigation was launched, Tesla said it was working on a redesign for its door handles. 

Design boss Franz von Holzhausen told Bloomberg that the new design would combine the electronic and manual door-release mechanisms into one button. 

“The idea of combining the electronic one and the manual one together into one button, I think, makes a lot of sense,” he told Bloomberg.

“That’s something that we’re working on.”

Von Holzhausen didn’t tell Bloomberg what had prompted the redesign, but said the carmaker is currently looking into the potential change in China, and is ready to make any necessary changes to the handles. 

China is considering a ban on retractable door handles

Flush retractable door handles have popped up on more and more cars in recent years, but that could all be set to change in China.

According to a report in Car News China, discussions are already underway regarding new rules that would outlaw fully retractable door handles. 

Traditional and semi-retractable door handles would still be allowed, but must include a mechanical backup that means doors can be easily opened in emergency situations.

The report went on to suggest that a draft proposal could be drawn up by the end of this month and could have a potentially huge impact on the industry.

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