FleetCheck has warned fleets of vehicles with electric door handles, following a ban in China in the wake of a fatal accident.
From 2027 China will require all door handles to be mechanically operated, after a driver was trapped in a burning vehicle following a crash.
FleetCheck warned that similar legislation may come into effect in the UK at a later date, but also that electric door handles present an ethical risk to fleets.
It suggested that fleets should check that vehicles have mechanical door handles before acquiring them in future.
Peter Golding, CEO at FleetCheck, said: “Flush, electric door handles have become a kind of shorthand in modern car design showing you are driving an advanced, probably electric vehicle – but they represent a genuine threat to life if power is lost.
“The Chinese move has come following an accident in which the driver of a Xiaomi died after not being able to exit their vehicle following a crash, while there are a number of lawsuits underway in the US following similar incidents involving Teslas.
“The UN has also raised the issue and closer to home, The European Transport Safety Council also acknowledges this is a problem and appear to be planning to take action.
“There is probably little that can be done with vehicles already on your fleet but it would seem a sensible precaution to take note and ensure that all vehicles on your choice lists have handles that can be operated mechanically.
“This is almost certainly not an issue that would see employers face legal liability in the event of an accident – these cars met all appropriate regulations at the time of sale – but from an ethical point of view, it’s clear such vehicles represent a serious safety risk.”
