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A pivotal automotive safety bill, the "Securing Accessible Functional Emergency Exit Act" (SAFE Exit Act), was advanced by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on February 12. The bill would mandate that all new vehicles with electrically powered door handles include a clearly labeled, intuitive manual release.
The legislation was introduced following a series of high-profile incidents where occupants became trapped inside vehicles—most notably Teslas—after a crash or power failure. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL) argued that the current lack of a standardized manual backup is a "lethal design flaw" that has contributed to at least 15 deaths.
Tesla, which pioneered the flush-mounted electric door handle, has faced increasing scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Proponents of the bill argue that in a fire or water submersion event, passengers often cannot find the hidden manual levers located in the door pockets or floorboards.
The bill also requires that first responders be given a standardized method to open electric doors from the outside when the battery is dead. While some lawmakers argued for more research to avoid "unintended design consequences," the committee moved the bill forward in a bipartisan 12-11 vote.
If signed into law, the SAFE Exit Act could force significant interior redesigns for several EV manufacturers. Companies like Tesla, Lucid, and Rivian would likely need to relocate mechanical overrides to more prominent, standardized positions by the 2028 model year.
SUMMARY
SAFE Exit Act passes House committee to mandate manual door releases.
Bill targets electric door handles popularized by Tesla and other EV startups.
Standardized manual overrides would be required for both occupants and rescuers.
Move follows 15 reported deaths involving trapped passengers in crashed EVs.
Legislation would require intuitive mechanical backups by the 2028 model year.
HISTORY
Electric door latches became a mainstream design trend with the launch of the Tesla Model S in 2012. While sleek, these systems rely on the vehicle's 12V or 16V battery to function, creating a risk of entrapment if the electrical system is compromised during an accident.
2012: Tesla debuts flush electric door handles on the Model S.
2024: NHTSA opens investigation into Tesla Model Y door failures.
Jan 2026: Representative Robin Kelly introduces the SAFE Exit Act.
Feb 10, 2026: House committee holds markup session for the bill.
Feb 12, 2026: SAFE Exit Act formally advances to the full House.