At last — possible government moves to restrict or ban electronic latches

Electronic latches

This one pulls us in multiple directions. InsideEVs reports that the Chinese government is rumored to be considering a ban on electronic latches (door handles), particularly those that conceal themselves (flush handles). The piece then references the earlier issuance of “draft rules stating that cars must have a clearly marked mechanical release on the inside, and not just an electronic button.”

So, while the story doesn’t expressly connect the dots, the use of flush door handles outside and electronic release buttons on the inside is the creation and use of electronic latches.

• The item is maddening to us because we have railed against electronic latches for literally 10 years without results.
• It is encouraging us because it seems that someone somewhere is finally moving on this subject.
• And it saddens us deeply because more people have died as a result of being stuck inside a vehicle for no better reason than the manufacturer wanted the latest toys in their cars!

We first reported on this in 2015 (click here) with a page holding directions on how to get out of a car that has lost power. We update the page regularly and it now includes entries from 10 manufacturers,

We were moved to do so after a man, and his dog, died in the Texas heat in a Corvette. The vehicle has a mechanical release (upper right), but it is found on the floor where you might expect to find a trunk release ad so we called for the use of more intuitive means of escape. Its very easy to blame the driver for not knowing, but seriously, would you think to look below the door?

Consider what we feel is the top of the line backup, and its from Audi. Its interior handle is a two-stage configuration. Pull the handle, the door opens. But if it doesn’t work, a harder pull activates the mechanical release (right)!

This is such a human thing to do. We’ve all done it — something doesn’t work or move the first time, we push harder, we pull harder!

Audi gets an A+ for this, but there is a far broader issue at play. So far as we are aware manufacturers have always provided a mechanical back-up for electronic latches, from inside and outside. Which begs the question — why????

The only reason for a manufacturer to put itself in the position of having to double the expense related to creating ingress and egress is to have the latest and coolest toys. But the coolest toys are not always the best toys and, sadly in these cases, have lead to the death of their very customers.

We’ve noted in the past that it would likely take a lawsuit to create a movement away from electronic latches, but we still have to ask: where is our own National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA)??

Our page is here and our video can be seen here.

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