Rivian is changing how passengers escape the R2 SUV in emergencies. The electric vehicle maker redesigned the rear door manual release mechanism in response to mounting pressure across the auto industry to make emergency exits more intuitive and accessible—a concern that's dogged EV makers as they shift to electronic door systems that can fail during power loss or crashes.
Rivian just made it easier to get out of its upcoming R2 SUV when things go wrong. The company redesigned the rear door manual release mechanism in direct response to mounting industry pressure over emergency exit accessibility in modern electric vehicles, according to TechCrunch.
The move comes as automakers face growing scrutiny over electronic door systems that can trap occupants during crashes or power failures. Unlike traditional mechanical handles, electronic door releases in EVs can fail when the 12-volt battery dies or sustains damage, leaving passengers scrambling to locate hidden manual backup releases that are often tucked under seat cushions or inside speaker grilles.
Rivian's redesign for the R2 addresses this exact problem. While specific details of the new mechanism weren't fully disclosed in the limited available reporting, the change represents the company's effort to balance sleek interior design with practical safety concerns that have plagued the EV industry.
Tesla has taken particular heat for its manual release implementations. Some Model Y variants require removing a speaker grille to access the rear manual release, while Model S doors have separate mechanical releases that aren't immediately obvious to first-time passengers. These design choices have drawn criticism from safety advocates and prompted viral social media posts showing confused passengers hunting for emergency exits.
The regulatory environment is shifting too. Safety organizations have started testing manual release accessibility as part of vehicle evaluations, and some lawmakers have proposed requiring more intuitive emergency exit mechanisms in vehicles with electronic door systems.
