Rivian is changing the door handle design on its upcoming R2 SUV after employees and customers raised safety concerns. The automaker is one of many that has used electronically-latched door handles in recent years. While this allows for a sleeker presentation and more aerodynamic design, it often results in manual emergency door releases being placed in hard-to-find locations.
On the R2, which is scheduled for release next year, Rivian will now place the interior manual releases in a more clearly visible location closer to the electrically-powered door handles.
This design change comes amid a wave of scrutiny around electronic door handles. A recent report highlighted instances of Tesla owners and passengers getting stuck in their vehicles because of the company’s hard-to-find manual releases. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation, and Tesla has since said it is redesigning how those handles work.
Earlier this year, Ford issued a recall and stopped the sale of its Mustang Mach-E because its electronic latches could get stuck in a locked position if the car’s 12-volt battery died.