A fiery crash that killed four occupants of a Tesla Model Y in Canada has brought the company’s reliance on electronically opening doors to light once again, after the deceased were reportedly trapped in the burning car. As reported by the Toronto Star , the crash occurred last month on Lake Shore Boulevard in Toronto, Canada, with the Tesla bursting into flames after it impacted a metal barrier and concrete pillar at an undisclosed speed. One of the Model Y’s five occupants was saved by a bystander who managed to smash the SUV’s rear window and pull her out, however the remaining four sadly perished.
Neither Tesla nor Toronto’s crash investigators have detailed why the occupants were unable to free themselves of the burning SUV, though the bystander who saved the lone survivor and a crash victim extraction expert have pointed to the Model Y’s unconventional door opening mechanism. 100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal.
Browse now . The Tesla Model Y uses a small switch at the top of the door handle to open their doors when its low-voltage 12V battery is charged. There’s also a cable-operated emergency bypass handle, which in the front is integrated into the armrest, and in the rear is underneath a rubbed mat in the door bin.
Given the nature of the crash, it’s possible the 12V battery was disconnected after the impact or following the fire breaking out, meaning the electronic door re.