R2 Manual Releases on All Interior Doors, But…

[Thebandit]

I just cannot understand why it's done this way. What is the benefit of electrically-operated door handles? What problem does this solve?

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[Mos Eisley]

I just cannot understand why it's done this way. What is the benefit of electrically-operated door handles? What problem does this solve?

Range, Range & Range + Perception.

Aerodynamics: Traditional door handles create a surprising amount of drag and EV manufacturers are chasing every fraction of reducing CoD they can find.

Weight: Mechanical linkages, rods, and cables running through the door add weight and constrain door design. Electronic actuators give engineers more freedom in deisgn and, I'm told, subtract weight.

Marketing: Sleek, handle-free exteriors signal "this is a different kind of vehicle" and range anxiety is a real sales obstacle, so anything that visually communicates aerodynamic efficiency has commercial value beyond the actual engineering gain. Electronic handles that auto-present when you approach with the key fob or integrate with driver profiles fit the "EV as a software platform" Mentality.

The engineering and marketing rationales are real but the safety trade-off is arguably underweighted.

 

[racekarl]

I just cannot understand why it's done this way. What is the benefit of electrically-operated door handles? What problem does this solve?

Tesla did it because they have frameless windows. When you open the door, the window drops a fraction of an inch to clear the weatherstripping, and when the door closes, the window is pushed back into the weatherstripping to reduce wind noise.

This meant that Teslas HAD to have an electronic component to their door opening regardless of the mechanism used to open the door. If you have to have an electronic component, why not make it the ONLY component to save costs?

The aerodynamic advantage does play a part, but it's not the only or even main reason (after all, the model 3 does not have electronically presenting outside door handles, but they are flush.) and besides, the main issue people have is with the interior mechanism, not the exterior one.

 

[VandalSibs]

Range, Range & Range + Perception.

Aerodynamics: Traditional door handles create a surprising amount of drag and EV manufacturers are chasing every fraction of reducing CoD they can find.

Weight: Mechanical linkages, rods, and cables running through the door add weight and constrain door design. Electronic actuators give engineers more freedom in deisgn and, I'm told, subtract weight.

Marketing: Sleek, handle-free exteriors signal "this is a different kind of vehicle" and range anxiety is a real sales obstacle, so anything that visually communicates aerodynamic efficiency has commercial value beyond the actual engineering gain. Electronic handles that auto-present when you approach with the key fob or integrate with driver profiles fit the "EV as a software platform" Mentality.

The engineering and marketing rationales are real but the safety trade-off is arguably underweighted.

This whole discussion is more about the inside electric door mechanics I think, and not the outside ones.

 

[Mos Eisley]

This whole discussion is more about the inside electric door mechanics I think, and not the outside ones.

But it's related - they weren't going to create a mechanical linkage tied to the inside handle if they didn't build one on the outside. One begat the other.

 

[racekarl]

But it's related - they weren't going to create a mechanical linkage tied to the inside handle if they didn't build one on the outside. One begat the other.

This is just totally wrong, though. There are MANY vehicles with flush exterior door handles that are still mechanically coupled to the door latch.

 

[Mos Eisley]

This is just totally wrong, though. There are MANY vehicles with flush exterior door handles that are still mechanically coupled to the door latch.

Didn't say there weren't - just offered up a couple of known drivers as to why some manufactures choose what they do. For the record, I'm opposed to electronic, at least solely electronic, door handles. I think it's an over-engineered potential point of failure and certainly a safety risk. If China is truly banning them, I hope it catches on.

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