Following China's mandate for mechanical door releases, U.S. Representative Robin Kelly has introduced the Securing Accessible Functional Emergency (SAFE) Exit Act to require manual releases in vehicles with electronic latches. The bill, targeting Tesla-influenced designs linked to crash fatalities, aims to ensure occupant egress and first-responder access during power loss.
On January 6, 2026, Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL) introduced the SAFE Exit Act, building on global safety concerns over electronic door handles in electric vehicles that can fail without power, as seen in prior incidents and investigations.
Rep. Kelly specifically criticized Tesla's flush, sensor-based designs for prioritizing style over safety, stating in her press release: "Profits and, least of all, style, should not come before people's lives. Elon Musk and his Tesla designs are not safe, nor efficient, and it has cost people their lives." The bill would compel the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to establish standards within two years for intuitive, power-independent manual releases on all doors, facilitating access for occupants and responders.
Tesla pioneered these handles, but they are used by Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Fiat, Ford, Genesis, Lexus, Lincoln, Maserati, Rivian, and Volvo. NHTSA has probed Tesla Model 3 and Model Y releases for poor visibility under stress. Over 35,000 have signed a Consumer Reports petition backing such reforms, with the group endorsing the bill.
This U.S. proposal aligns with international pushes, like China's rules effective 2027, to regulate software-heavy automotive features and prioritize fail-safe designs.
