Volvo’s new EX60 features innovative “shark fin” electronic door handles designed to enhance safety amidst rising concerns about electric door mechanisms. Unlike traditional systems, these handles combine electronic opening with a mechanical backup in one action. This redundancy allows the doors to unlock even if the vehicle’s 12-volt battery fails after a collision.
Despite ongoing skepticism about electronic door handles due to past incidents—such as unresponsive handles in the Chevrolet Corvette and Tesla models—Volvo’s Chief Technology Officer, Anders Böll, emphasized that with proper design, safety issues can be mitigated. The EX60 keeps safety at the forefront by ensuring that both the electronic and mechanical systems can function reliably, even in dire circumstances.
Böll argues that concerns primarily focus on the effectiveness of the backup system rather than the handles themselves. The EX60 is equipped with two DC-DC converters for power redundancy, ensuring emergency systems remain functional even if one converter fails.
This approach addresses potential risks highlighted by past incidents involving electric vehicles, where passengers were unable to escape during emergencies due to ineffective door mechanisms. As regulatory scrutiny increases, Volvo’s design aims to instill confidence in the safety of its electric door handles.
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