Lawmakers move to require manual backups for electric door handles

On the Dash:

• The SAFE Exit Act would require manual mechanical releases in vehicles with electronic door systems.
• The bill follows fatal incidents where electric door handles reportedly failed after crashes.
• The legislation could force design changes for EV makers, including Tesla.

The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced the Securing Accessible Functional Emergency Exit Act, or SAFE Exit Act, to full committee during a markup session on Tuesday. The bill would require new vehicles equipped with electric door handles to include clearly labeled, accessible mechanical manual releases. The legislation aims to address safety concerns arising from crashes in which occupants or rescuers were unable to open electronically controlled doors. If enacted, the bill will significantly affect automakers that use flush, electrically powered door systems, such as Tesla. The bill still faces several legislative steps before it can become law.

The legislation was introduced last month by Representative Robin Kelly following multiple incidents in which individuals were injured or died after becoming trapped inside vehicles when electric door systems failed.

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Lawmakers stressed the urgency of the situation during the session, pointing to a growing number of related fatalities. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into potential door defects in certain Tesla Model Y SUVs in September and a second probe into emergency releases in Tesla Model 3 vehicles in December. In addition, an extensive investigation by Bloomberg News identified at least 15 deaths in a dozen incidents involving Tesla vehicles where doors reportedly couldn’t be opened after crashes and fires.

The SAFE Exit Act will mandate that all new vehicles include a clearly labeled, intuitive mechanical latch in vehicles with electronic door systems. These accessibility standards will ensure occupants can quickly locate and operate the release. It will also require a solution that allows first responders to access vehicles in cases of battery failure.

During the session, several lawmakers argued that the U.S. is falling behind other global markets on door safety. China recently banned concealer door handles, marking the first country to do so, and the European Union has also tightened vehicle safety oversight.