A U.S. House Energy & Commerce subcommittee will hold a legislative hearing on January 13. The hearing will discuss the 'Securing Accessible Functional Emergency Exit Act,' or 'SAFE Exit Act.'
Representative Robin Kelly introduced the proposed bill.
The legislation targets automobiles featuring electric door systems, such as those popularized by Tesla. It mandates that these vehicles include a clearly labeled, intuitive mechanical latch for emergency access.
The bill also requires manufacturers to provide a means for first responders to access vehicles when power is lost. This measure addresses growing safety concerns stemming from incidents where occupants could not exit vehicles.
The introduction of the SAFE Exit Act marks the first time Capitol Hill lawmakers have formally addressed the safety risks of electrically powered doors. If Congress passes the legislation, manufacturers must implement the new rules within two years.