Imagine being trapped in your car during an emergency, unable to open the doors because the power is out. This terrifying scenario is exactly why Australia’s top vehicle safety expert is sounding the alarm. Carla Hoorweg, CEO of ANCAP, the nation’s independent vehicle safety authority, is urging the government to ban electric-only door handles—a feature found in cars like Tesla and BYD—citing serious safety risks. But here’s where it gets controversial: while China has already mandated mechanical backups for all new vehicles by 2029, Australia’s regulations lag behind, leaving drivers potentially vulnerable.
The issue stems from a simple yet critical flaw: electric door handles, which rely solely on power to operate, can fail during emergencies, trapping occupants and hindering rescue efforts. China’s new rules, announced late last year, require all vehicles to have mechanical releases both inside and out by 2027 for new models and 2029 for all cars. Hoorweg argues Australia should follow suit, emphasizing that delays in adopting similar regulations could put lives at risk.
During an interview on ABC Radio Melbourne’s Mornings program, Hoorweg stated, ‘The concern is warranted… it’s an area where there’s an opportunity for the government to step in and stop this from happening.’ She highlighted that while ANCAP is introducing new safety protocols in 2026, their ratings are voluntary, meaning cars with electric-only handles can still enter the market. ‘We can’t stop these cars from coming in,’ she added, underscoring the need for mandatory regulatory action.
Australia’s current Australian Design Rules (ADRs) require door handles to open from the inside and mandate that safety systems don’t rely solely on electric operation. However, these rules don’t explicitly address electric-only handles, leaving a critical gap. The government, part of a UN working group formed in 2025, has acknowledged the issue, stating that opening a door in an emergency should be intuitive even without power. But progress has been slow, with further discussions needed to amend regulations.
And this is the part most people miss: electric door handles aren’t just a feature of electric vehicles (EVs). Many petrol and hybrid cars are adopting this design trend, making it a widespread concern. Hoorweg noted, ‘We’ve been worried about this since we started… whether you can open the door after a crash, either inside or outside the car, or even if the car is submerged in water.’
So, what can drivers do? Hoorweg advises contacting your dealership and asking, ‘If I’m in a crash, how do I open this door manually?’ But the bigger question remains: should Australia wait for a tragedy to happen before taking action?
This debate raises a thought-provoking question: Are sleek, modern designs worth compromising safety? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Australia should ban electric-only door handles, or is this an overreaction to a rare scenario?
