On December 23, Bloomberg reported that Tesla is now grappling with the fallout from a decision made nearly ten years ago. Regulatory bodies on three continents have started to closely examine the safety of electric vehicle doors.

Back in early 2016, as Tesla's design and engineering teams were in the final stages of perfecting the Model 3's design, the issue of door - opening mechanisms presented a major hurdle. This mass - market sedan was envisioned to propel Tesla from a niche, high - end electric vehicle maker to the world's most valuable automaker in terms of market capitalization.

At that time, some engineers were in favor of mechanical door handles. They voiced concerns about the potential safety hazards linked to electric control systems. This was because Tesla had just received a spate of complaints regarding door sensor malfunctions in its newly launched Model X SUV.

However, Musk gave the order that almost all components of the new vehicle, including the doors, should be controlled electrically through buttons or touchscreens, all in the name of achieving "ultimate simplification."

Years later, the hidden perils of this decision started to emerge. Tesla's doors rely on low - voltage batteries. These batteries are extremely likely to fail after a collision, which can impede rescue operations or leave occupants trapped.

According to Bloomberg's data, over the past ten years, there have been at least 12 related accidents in the United States, claiming the lives of 15 people.

Currently, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has initiated an investigation into Tesla over this matter. Chinese authorities are contemplating a ban on hidden door handles, and European regulatory agencies are placing a high priority on formulating regulations for electric vehicle doors.

Although Tesla asserts that its products meet regulatory standards, it is still actively seeking solutions for improvement, such as researching the possibility of automatic door unlocking when the battery voltage drops too low.