NHTSA begins rulemaking for emergency vehicle egress after Tesla door handle incidents. The move could mandate new safety standards for all automakers
NHTSA Eyes New Rules on Tesla-Style Door Handles
NHTSA Begins Rulemaking Process for Emergency Vehicle Egress After Tesla Door Handle Incidents U.S. auto safety regulators are moving to address a potentially deadly design trend popularized by Tesla: flush, electronically operated door handles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it is commencing a rulemaking process to develop new requirements ensuring drivers and passengers can safely exit their vehicles during electrical power failures. The decision, confirmed in a regulatory filing and first reported by Bloomberg, follows a series of incidents where occupants became trapped inside cars equipped with these minimalist handles. While the agency denied a specific petition to investigate the 2022 Tesla Model 3's mechanical release, it has opted for a broader, more systemic approach that could ultimately affect every automaker selling vehicles in the United States. This move represents a significant, if preliminary, step toward codifying safety standar…
