Why do car manufacturers use retractable door handles? – Jalopnik

Tesla wasn’t the first to implement unconventional door handles, but it was the catalyst that brought back the strange trend. Not every electric vehicle is known for strange design decisions, and there are plenty of surprisingly normal features of the new Blazer EV. But the bizarre retractable door handles are mainly found in many recent models.

According to Tesla S chief designer Franz Von Holzhausen in a video of the OnCars YouTube channel: “We started with proportions and then we moved into the exterior design language, which is all about efficiency. Every aspect of the car’s design seeks efficiency, even down to the door handles, which suck back into the car.” Range is a crucial figure for any electric car, so it is paramount that car manufacturers look for ways to increase it. We asked you how much EV range you actually need and found that most of you agree that somewhere between 250 and 300 miles is the sweet spot. In terms of aerodynamic benefits, some tests have shown that retractable handles deliver energy savings of 0.6 kWh over 100 kilometers. according to European Central Station. Other tests have shown greater differences, with EVs with classic door handles achieving a range of 39 kWh versus EVs with recessed handles achieving a range of 62-107 kWh.

These recessed handles also stem from the desire for brands to appear high-tech. Changing traditional automotive elements helps further that design intent. However, this particular feature is being looked at more closely as drivers are divided over it and regulators are concerned about its safety.

While drivers may eventually get used to these quirks, passengers can engage in what should be a simple task. Clearly, changing an easy-to-understand mechanism that has been part of vehicles since the 1920s doesn’t sit well with everyone. A 2024 poll conducted by GM Authority When asked whether the Blazer EV should get classic or flush folding door handles, 64% of voters were in favor of traditional handles.

Even among those comfortable with the way retractable handles work are experiencing new problems, with Tesla owners across the country complaining about their faulty door handles. One of the main concerns is that drivers cannot open or close the doors when the battery is dead. That’s not the only problem, according to the YouTuber The Ioniq Man shown in a video where the handles couldn’t pop out because they were frozen in place.

In the United States, there have been tragic examples of retractable door handles hindering rescue efforts. As reported by BloombergOff-duty firefighter Max Walsh got into an EV accident and had to break the window because the door handle wasn’t working. While he was able to pull the driver out, the driver’s wife remained trapped in the vehicle for some time. This left her with severe facial burns and permanent respiratory damage, which could have been minimized if the first people on the scene had been able to open the doors quickly.

Due to increasing reports of these retractable grab bars being an impediment in an emergency situation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has become involved. Certain Tesla Model Y doors are under investigation by the agency and in response, the automaker is reportedly working on a redesign.