Electric Door Handle Hazards Should Be a Concern for EV Manufacturers

KatadataOTO – Some time ago, an accident occurred involving a Tesla Cybertruck electric car in the United States, which was carrying four teenage passengers.

However, only one person managed to survive. This accident has drawn attention because it could have been anticipated.

The Tesla Cybertruck reportedly hit a tree, and a fire was seen emerging from the car, suspected to be from the battery. The four teenagers in the cabin were still in good condition.

Unfortunately, as the fire grew, all passengers in the cabin could not get out because the door handles stopped working due to the impact of the crash.

Photo: Carnewschina

Since the door handles operate electrically, the component could not be used when the electrical current was cut off. The doors also could not be opened from outside the vehicle.

There is one cable that serves as an alternative to open the rear doors in an emergency, but its location is quite hidden.

In Indonesia, a number of the latest Electric Vehicles (EVs) have started using flush-style electric door handles.

Although they enhance the car's appearance, hidden door handles can potentially complicate the evacuation process from outside the vehicle during an accident.

A representative from the vehicle safety testing agency ASEAN NCAP has also spoken out in response to this issue.

“This could potentially serve as a reference for future research to be developed into a testing protocol,” said Adrianto Sugiarto Wiyono, Technical Committee of ASEAN NCAP, to KatadataOTO on Wednesday (21/01).

He revealed that the ASEAN NCAP testing standards do not yet include an assessment of ease of access in the event of an accident.

Moreover, cases where drivers and passengers are trapped in a vehicle after an accident are not numerous.

As long as the car windows can be opened or broken, the evacuation process can still be facilitated.

In the future, manufacturers need to consider these factors when designing vehicles. The hope is that accidents similar to the Tesla Cybertruck incident in the US can be anticipated.

Photo: Glamour Auto Boutique

“This also requires further study. The vehicle's safety will be measured during the crash or post-crash,” he asserted.

Manufacturers, especially electric car manufacturers, can make design adjustments by paying attention to the safety of passengers in the cabin.

Especially for electric car producers. Because the risk of fire from the battery in an EV is quite high, and the fire is difficult to extinguish.