I haven't had one so I can't directly weigh in, but up here, winter = physically pulling hard on door handles to get the seals to unstick. I can't imagine something like cybertruck (no handles at all) working in real winter.

I'm hopeful for Tesla to release their 25k car, and I'm really hoping for my car to last a couple years longer so I can get something from a different manufacturer that realizes some design standards have good reasons behind them.

The good news is that the panel gaps are big enough that you can get your hands in there to pull the door open!

I've got a Mach E, it has similar "push the button and the door pops open a bit" style of opening. I had it outside during a sleet storm where it got a good layer of ice on it. I just pressed the button on the door and it managed to break the ice and open just fine.

The door openers can have a good bit of force behind them.

Say what you will about BYD but at least they have door handles.

I really don’t understand it. How many MPGe could door handles subtract? 1? Is it even that much?

Is it aesthetics? I don’t think theirs look any better. And they feel flimsy AF. They give you nothing to hold onto when manipulating the door. Even if they didn’t freeze, I just don’t like them.

So we’re going to make this more complicated, more failure prone thing that looks and feels worse for no real benefit?

The worst part is that other EVs are adopting it.

It's Elon. Do you really have to ask? It's the most braindead, arrogant, Elon Musky possible decision.

It's not Elon. Many other EVs have the similar handle-less design. E.g. Mustang Mach, Hyundai Ioniq/ Kia EV, Lucid Air, etc.

Recessed door handles to avoid MPG impact was a solved problem by the Fiat Panda, at least (probably earlier!) - the only rationale is cost, or meme copying.

It all compounds. Lower mpge > increased range > less battery weight > increased range + lower cost.

So why are the tires super wide on Teslas, with consequently high rolling resistance?

The door handle is a gimmick, afaict, with so much other low hanging fruit in the design.

No one wants an anaemic Tesla either.

I would much rather drive an anemic Tesla - skinny cheaper tires, lighter so easier to change myself.

Because the cars are heavy and with have high torque. They need the extra grip to have those insanely low 0-60 times.

>1?

My hunch says less than that. Door handles have more physical moving parts which are going to increase costs and we know Tesla loves to do anything they can to keep those down.