The clarification comes after China last week announced its largest-ever vehicle recall, involving 4.3 million cars, including 2.98 million Tesla vehicles. The recall was linked to concerns that emergency door-release mechanisms may be difficult for occupants to locate or operate following a crash.
The RDW, which plays a key role in overseeing the safety of Tesla vehicles in the European market, said it is monitoring the issue. However, the agency declined to say whether it was considering or conducting a formal recall investigation, stressing only that no recall is currently in place.
"The RDW believes that vehicles must be capable of being opened under all circumstances — including when electrical systems fail — in an intuitive way, without the use of tools, from both inside and outside," the regulator said in written responses to questions from Reuters.
Tesla has used flush or recessed door handles on many of its vehicles, a design feature that has attracted attention in discussions about emergency access. However, the RDW said the design of the handles itself does not necessarily constitute a safety problem.
The regulator explained that the broader issue of ensuring vehicle doors can be opened quickly and easily during emergencies is already being discussed at the international and European levels.
According to the RDW, the matter is being considered in United Nations vehicle-regulation discussions in Geneva as well as by Euro NCAP, the independent European New Car Assessment Programme responsible for evaluating vehicle safety and awarding safety ratings.
"This is because, in recent years, there have been incidents in which occupants or emergency responders had difficulty opening vehicles following an accident or fire," the agency said.
The developments highlight growing scrutiny of emergency door-release systems as modern vehicles increasingly rely on electronic components and unconventional exterior door-handle designs. While such features can contribute to vehicle styling and aerodynamics, regulators and safety organisations are also examining whether occupants and rescuers can access vehicles quickly when electrical systems are damaged or unavailable.
For now, Tesla owners in Europe are not facing a region-wide recall over the issue, although the RDW’s monitoring of the matter means further regulatory action could still be possible if safety concerns are identified.