A bill that could ban Tesla-style electric door handles on cars has passed a crucial step in Congress. The Securing Accessible Functional Emergency Exit Act (SAFE Exit Act) has passed through the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and will now go before the full committee on its way to becoming law.
Even if it gets through that next stage, there are still a number of steps before the bill might become legislation. The SAFE Exit Act was introduced on January 6 2026 by Illinois representative Robin Kelly. According to a press release issued when the bill was announced, the style of handle they are trying to ban is responsible for the deaths of at least 15 people in the United States.
The bill itself doesn’t completely outlaw electric door handles, and manufacturers could theoretically still put them in cars. However, it would require vehicles to have a clearly marked mechanical lever capable of opening the door from the inside, and a way for first responders to open the door and access the vehicle from the outside.
Currently, electric door handles are essentially a switch. Pulling on them signals the door to open. However, several vehicles, including Teslas, do have mechanical backup systems that could be used to open the door in an emergency. In theory. The issue is that the backup handles aren’t always clearly labeled, so people may miss them, especially in a crisis. This has led to several cases where people have been trapped in a burning EV and killed.
The US isn’t the only country banning Tesla-style electric door handles
The United States isn’t the only country considering a ban on electric car door handles. The European Union and Singapore are both considering similar legislation. In early February 2026, China became the first nation to ban the door handle style and it looks like other countries are following in its footsteps, as predicted.
China’s ban lays out very specific requirements for car door handles, which go beyond “it must be easy to see and mechanically operated.” On the outside of the door, the handle must be inside a recessed space that measures at least 6cm (2 in) by 2cm by 2.5cm. Signs measuring 1cm by 0.7cm must be placed inside the door to illustrate how to open it.
There are some benefits to electronic door handles. Because they’re usually flush with the door, they tend to be more aerodynamic than traditional handle shapes. This could be particularly important for EVs, as any aerodynamic gain translates to better range, which in turn can lead to better overall battery life.
With that being said, the aerodynamic gains might be pretty minor, and it’s easy to argue that the safety aspect should outweigh a marginal boost in efficiency. Plus, Uber customers who’ve spent time standing and staring confused at a Tesla’s door will probably be happy that a ban is being considered.
