Tesla to Revamp Door Handles in Response to NHTSA Safety Inquiry
Tesla, the leading electric vehicle manufacturer, has announced plans to redesign its vehicle door handles in response to growing safety concerns. The news was revealed by Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla's design chief, during an interview on Bloomberg's Hot Pursuit podcast this week.
The redesign aims to make Tesla's door handles more intuitive in a panic situation. According to von Holzhausen, the new mechanism could allow occupants to trigger a mechanical door release by pulling a little bit further on the lever. This change is expected to address concerns raised by regulators and consumers about the electronic door-release mechanisms currently used by Tesla.
The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has launched a probe into potential defects with Tesla's Model Y SUV doors from the 2021 model year. The investigation covers approximately 174,290 vehicles and will examine incidents where exterior handles stopped working and trapped children inside vehicles. Since 2018, the NHTSA has received over 140 consumer complaints related to doors on various Tesla models getting stuck, not opening, or malfunctioning.
The redesign comes as China is considering stricter regulations around fully flush door handles, such as those used by Tesla vehicles. China's regulatory authority focused on vehicle safety and consumer protection is working on strengthening regulations in this area due to safety concerns about children being trapped inside vehicles with these electronic door handles. Europe has also adopted measures to improve post-crash rescue protocols.
In 2022, South Korean police investigated complaints that Tesla's concealed, flush door handles could pose safety risks, although the case was later dropped. The NHTSA will also examine Tesla's approach to supplying power to the door locks and the reliability of those power supplies.
Tesla is not only redesigning its vehicle door handles but also studying Beijing's requirements and preparing to make necessary changes. This move demonstrates Tesla's commitment to addressing safety concerns and ensuring the well-being of its customers.
Bloomberg previously reported that Tesla's handles have been linked to a series of incidents where occupants were unable to exit after a crash, sometimes leading to injuries or fatalities. The redesign is, therefore, a significant step towards enhancing the safety of Tesla vehicles and addressing the concerns of regulators and consumers alike.
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