EV Safety Spotlight: How to Exit Safely if Power is Lost

Electric vehicles are built to be among the safest cars on the road — strong crash structures, sealed high-voltage systems, and advanced occupant protection.

But there’s one rare scenario that every driver and passenger should know how to handle: what to do if your EV’s 12-volt system is cut off in a crash or other mishap — and your power doors or windows won’t open.

Why the 12-Volt Battery Matters

Every EV has two batteries:

  • The high-voltage traction battery (the one that moves the car), and

  • The low-voltage “12-volt” battery, which powers accessories like lights, locks, windows, and infotainment.

In a severe crash, or if a short circuit occurs, that 12-volt supply can shut down.
When that happens, power-operated door handles, windows, or trunks may stop responding, even if you’re otherwise unhurt.

The good news: every EV sold in the U.S. includes a mechanical or manual escape option — though where it’s located differs by brand.

General Steps to Get Out Safely

  1. Stay calm and assess. Look for hazards — fire, smoke, traffic, flooding. If there’s no immediate danger, pause and plan.

  2. Try the normal handle first. Many EVs include a mechanical latch behind the electric actuator — pulling the handle twice often opens it.

  3. Use the manual release. Nearly all EVs have a hidden lever, pull strap, or latch near the window switches, seat base, or footwell.

  4. Break a window if needed. Use a spring-loaded center punch (aim at the corner of side windows, not the windshield).

  5. Avoid cutting cables or prying near orange wiring. Those mark high-voltage lines.

  6. Once free, move away from the vehicle in case of delayed fire or smoke release. Call 911 and identify it as an electric vehicle.

Where to Find Manual Releases

Below are known emergency exit methods for current EVs sold or operated in the U.S.
(Always check your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s “Emergency Response Guide.”)

Manufacturer / Model Manual Door Release Location Notes
Tesla (Model 3/Y) Front doors: pull up on silver lever near window switches. Rear doors: pull fabric loop under seat cushion. Don’t pull both at once — window glass may not drop.
Tesla (Model S/X) Front: pull mechanical latch under main handle. Rear: manual release tab inside door pocket Power failure disables pop-out handles; look for cable loop.
Rivian R1T / R1S Pull orange lever beneath front armrest or lower door pocket. Clearly marked; also visible in vehicle rescue sheet.
Ford Mustang Mach-E / F-150 Lightning Front: pull interior handle twice. Rear: red pull strap at base of window frame (labelled “Manual”). Windows may not drop if 12V is lost.
Chevrolet Bolt EV / EUV Manual latch integrated with handle (front), rear lever at bottom of door trim. GM includes QR code link to Emergency Guide.
Nissan Leaf / Ariya Standard mechanical handle; works without 12V power.. Windows will not operate.
Hyundai / Kia (Ioniq, EV6, Kona, etc.) Manual latch behind electronic switch, or pull handle twice. Emergency release also marked by red tag in some trims.
Volkswagen ID.4 Pull handle twice; secondary lever triggers mechanical latch. Boot/trunk has internal emergency release.
Volvo EX30 / XC40 Recharge / Polestar 2 Manual lever below window switch panel; trunk interior glow-in-dark release. Polestar: backup pull under driver handle
Lucid Air / Gravity Hidden lever under door card trim. Check “Emergency Exit” in touchscreen manual
Mercedes EQ series (EQB, EQE, EQS) Mechanical pull under handle Doors remain latched electronically until this handle is pulled.
BMW i4 / iX / Mini SE Manual cable under door pull; rear seats fold manually Use glovebox emergency tool for trunk.
Subaru Solterra / Toyota bZ4X Standard mechanical handle for doors; electronic parking brake disables automatically. Rear hatch has mechanical release under trim.
Honda Prologue / Acura ZDX Pull handle twice GM-platform design similar to Bolt EUV./td>
Mazda MX-30 Front: pull handle twice. Rear half-doors open once front is unlatched Has mechanical fail-safe latch.
Fisker Ocean / Pear Manual door pull near bottom of window switch panel. Labeled “Emergency Release.”
VinFast VF8 / VF9 Handle has internal mechanical backup. Verify location via owner’s guide (near window controls).
Waymo Jaguar I-PACE (autonomous fleet) Riders: pull interior handle twice (once to unlock, again to open). “Safe Exit” automatically prevents dooring; Rider Support can remotely unlock.
Cruise Bolt AV / Zoox / Others Manual door pull labeled inside; emergency services can override via rescue button. Procedures vary — follow attendant or emergency instructions.

Before You Drive

  • Locate the emergency latch today. Check the owner’s manual or look up the “Emergency Response Guide” on the manufacturer’s website.

  • Keep a window-breaking safety tool and seatbelt cutter within reach.

  • Teach passengers — especially those in the rear — how to find manual releases.

  • In a robotaxi (Waymo, Cruise, Zoox): wait for the car to stop completely, then pull the handle twice. Contact in-app support if needed.

First Responders: What They Want You to Know

  • Never cut orange cables — they’re high-voltage.

  • After major crashes, EVs automatically disable the high-voltage system but not always instantly.

  • Always assume the system is live until confirmed otherwise.

  • Doors, airbags, and seatbelt tensioners may be on residual 12-volt power; avoid cutting near B-pillars.

  • Manufacturer Emergency Response Guides (ERGs) are publicly available for every model at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-manufacturers/emergency-response-guides.

“If your EV loses power after a crash and doors or windows won’t open…”

TRY FIRST

  • Pull door handle twice

  • Look for red lever, tag, or loop

  • Use window breaker if necessary

  • Move away once outside

KNOW YOUR VEHICLE
(Include small brand icons or logos with short notes)

  • Tesla – lever near window switch (front); pull strap (rear)

  • Rivian – orange lever under armrest

  • Ford / Chevy / VW / Hyundai / Kia / Nissan / Subaru / Toyota – double pull handle

  • Volvo / Polestar / Lucid / BMW / Mercedes – small mechanical pull under handle

  • Waymo & AVs – pull handle twice, or contact Rider Support

BE READY

  • Keep a safety hammer / seatbelt cutter in reach

  • Review your car’s Emergency Guide

  • Teach passengers how to exit

  • Avoid cutting orange cables

  • Call 911 and identify it as an electric vehicle