American auto safety regulators are preparing the ground for a rule that will affect car doors for years to come. The move comes after several tragic cases when people were unable to exit a vehicle due to a flush, electrified handle common to Teslas and some other manufacturers.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirmed on July 23 that it would formally consider a new federal safety regulation. The order comes after a petition asked them to “mandate a robust and obvious door egress system in all motor vehicles,” and if approved, it would be one of the biggest safety rules to come out in years.
But the reason why this rule even has to happen is tied to the real-life tragedies that occurred when occupants and emergency responders were unable to open the Tesla door during a crash.
1. Why this rule change is happening
The rule change is tied to the ongoing safety controversy surrounding modern Tesla vehicles and other manufacturers with similar features. Their electrified, flush door handles can leave occupants trapped inside an unreachable vehicle during a crash or other emergencies when the car’s power systems are damaged. In a few recorded cases, this design has proven catastrophic to the car owner, despite surviving the initial impact.
Key Reasons Behind the Rule:
- Electrified handles need power to open
- Crash and electrical failure
- Occupants stay trapped inside the vehicle
- Emergency responders have difficulty opening a vehicle
- Safeguarding regulation is needed
According to investigative reports, several fatal crashes have involved situations where occupants or emergency responders were unable to open Tesla doors because the battery-powered door handles failed after a collision. If the battery cannot provide enough power during an emergency, the doors may remain locked, making it much more difficult for occupants to exit or for rescuers to gain access. This safety concern has led to the proposed federal rule change.
2. The petition that started it all
The petition that started the rule change process was published last November by a Silicon Valley-based engineer. He raised serious safety concerns regarding electric and hidden car latch systems, urging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to adopt new federal safety regulations. Furthermore, the engineer argued that the current state of affairs represented a severe safety hazard for the owners of electric vehicles.
Key Developments in the Petition:
- Engineer highlighted serious safety risks
- Petition requested federal safety standards
- Electronic latches raised major concerns
- NHTSA accepted rulemaking request
- Industry-wide review became the focus
NHTSA accepted his petition for rulemaking consideration. However, they declined to investigate a defect in the Model 3 electric doors. The reason for the decision was that the problem required an industry-wide review rather than a single vehicle analysis. Notably, the NHTSA pointed out that initiating the rulemaking process did not guarantee immediate regulatory action.
3. What the NHTSA is saying about the rule change
In an emailed statement, the NHTSA responded to the petition. The agency reiterated that they had received a formal request for the emergency egress system to be mandated in all motor vehicles. Furthermore, they stated that they received a petition requesting the development of a new rule for occupants to exit the vehicle in the case of a power malfunction.
Key Points from NHTSA’s Statement:
- Petition formally granted by the NHTSA
- Emergency egress system under consideration
- No new safety rules introduced
- Public feedback requested
- Evidence will determine the future steps
The NHTSA stated that it would be reviewing the petition and requested public feedback before making any regulatory modifications or additions to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Therefore, the rulemaking process will be long and will involve extensive research, public feedback collection, and other activities before any changes are made.
4. The rulemaking process can take the rest of the decade
The process of making new rules and regulations changes can be long and involves many steps. Michael Brooks, the executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, believes the rulemaking is significant, but NHTSA has years before new standards are final.
Key Insights on the Rulemaking Process:
- Rulemaking process formally started
- Review of new safety standards launched
- Compliance will likely be several years from now
- Industry input is needed and welcomed
- Testing is needed before finalizing the rules
Brooks noted that while initiating rulemaking was a positive step, it was only the beginning of a long process. Before any changes to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards can happen, NHTSA will need to collect industry input and review the data before moving to the next step. Therefore, while the new egress requirements may become a reality, it will not be before several years have passed.
5. The NHTSA decided against a single-car review
A significant part of the NHTSA statement concerned the decision to launch a rulemaking petition rather than a defect investigation. They mentioned being approached to investigate the emergency mechanical door release system on the 2022 Model 3. Furthermore, the NHTSA stated that the issue would be better addressed by creating new model-year regulations rather than investigating a defect in a single vehicle.
Key Reasons Behind the Decision:
- Industry safety review is preferred
- Request for single-vehicle investigation denied
- Electronic door handles found on several manufacturers
- Industry-wide policy changes promote safety
- New safety standards will be applied across the industry
NHTSA made it clear why they preferred the rulemaking petition over the defect investigation request. They pointed out that several automakers utilized similar systems across their product line. Therefore, a defect investigation would have limited scope and would not resolve the underlying safety concerns. However, the NHTSA statement created controversy, with some arguing that a defect investigation would have been a better choice.
6. New rules only apply to future cars
While NHTSA wants to establish new safety standards for all vehicles, their rulemaking petition only applies to future cars. William Wallace, director of safety advocacy at Consumer Reports, noted that current owners do not benefit from the changes to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Key Concerns for Current Owners:
- New rules affect future vehicles
- Existing owners receive limited protection
- Defect investigation was not launched
- Current safety concerns remain unresolved
- Long-term solution has immediate limitations
While long-term changes are welcomed, current owners are not comforted by the prospect of enhanced safety in the future. Wallace noted that those who currently own a vehicle with similar mechanisms are at risk. However, he also added that a defect investigation into current cars was not launched, which created additional challenges for current owners.
7. Manual release is not always a viable option
Modern cars with electrified doors usually utilize a manual release as a primary alternative in case of a power failure. However, the manual release option may not always be a viable option due to being concealed in most vehicles. In a crisis, drivers and passengers may be unable to find the manual release in time.
Challenges With Manual Door Releases:
- Manual releases are often hidden
- Emergency access becomes confusing
- Electronic failures affect usability
- Drivers may lack familiarity
- Backups may not perform reliably
Several issues with the manual release mechanism were identified by an early review conducted by the NHTSA. One of the problems was that the manual release may also fail to operate due to low battery power. This flaw impacts the manual release in Tesla Model 3, which typically relies on a hidden cable to operate the door release mechanism. Notably, the Tesla Model 3 manual release is typically located next to the regular door handle. Additionally, as drivers usually do not use the manual release on a regular basis, they may not have the experience to use it correctly during an emergency.
8. Lawmakers and automakers take action
The issues with Tesla’s electrified doors have prompted several policymakers and automakers to propose changes. Congressman Robin Kelly introduced the SAFE Exit Act that would require automakers to equip all new cars with a manual release. The proposal also requires a reliable method of entry for emergency responders to enter the vehicle in the case of a power failure.
Industry and Government Responses:
- SAFE Exit Act proposed by Robin Kelly
- Lawmaker asked for manual release in all cars
- Proposed solution should be viable by first responders
- Automakers are making design changes
- Industry takes action to address the concerns
Some automakers are already addressing concerns about emergency door releases. Rivian has confirmed that its upcoming R2 SUV will feature a redesigned interior door handle with the manual release positioned next to the electric handle, making it easier to use during emergencies. Tesla is also reviewing potential design changes, with designer Franz von Holzhausen confirming that the company is exploring improvements to its current door handle system to address these safety concerns.
9. The regulatory rulemaking background
The NHTSA rulemaking process is part of an extensive federal regulatory process concerning vehicle safety. The rules and regulations concern all aspects of vehicle performance and are necessary to ensure public safety. If passed, the changes to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards will likely be added to the Code of Federal Regulations.
Key Elements of the Regulatory Framework:
- Code of Federal Regulations contain safety standards
- Vehicles have unique identifiers (VIN)
- Vehicles are monitored by the federal government
- Manufacturer reports are reviewed by NHTSA
- Regulations help the NHTSA enforce the rules
NHTSA oversees the vehicle safety regulations in the U.S. One of the tools at its disposal is the Product Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing (vPIC). It serves as an extensive database containing information submitted by manufacturers in accordance with the federal regulations. Most of the information contained in the vPIC can be found in several key areas, with the unique VIN number being among the most important pieces of information. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards are also a critical component of the vehicle safety regulation in the U.S.
10. Data, reporting, and the future of vehicle safety
Vehicle manufacturers report the required information to the NHTSA through the Manufacturer Portal. Through the portal, manufacturers submit VIN information, respond to reports, maintain their listings, and perform other tasks. The foreign manufacturers must appoint an agent in the U.S. who is responsible for the submission of required reports, including specific information about the brake hoses, glazing materials, and tire designations.
Key Elements of Regulatory Oversight:
- Manufacturers report required information
- Unique VIN numbers are monitored
- Critical components identification is required
- Public data is available for analysis
- Evidence will shape future regulation
The information submitted by manufacturers is added to the Manufacturer Information Database, which contains detailed records about manufacturers, their products, and vehicles, with much of the data available in XML, CSV, and JSON formats for researchers and developers. As NHTSA reviews the proposed rule, manufacturer data and public feedback will help shape future vehicle safety standards. Although some automakers may raise concerns about additional costs and design changes, incidents involving Tesla doors have highlighted the importance of reliable emergency escape systems, making this rulemaking process a significant step toward improving vehicle safety.
