Toyota And Lexus Cars With Electronic Door Handles Reportedly Trapping Occupants When The Battery Dies

jalopnik.com Aug 19, 2026

Toyota And Lexus Cars With Electronic Door Handles Reportedly Trapping Occupants When The Battery Dies

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 19, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

A recent Which? Car Survey in the United Kingdom uncovered a safety issue affecting several Toyota and Lexus models equipped with electronic door handles. More than 270 consumer reports of dead 12‑volt batteries were logged, and over 75 % involved Toyota or Lexus vehicles. Owners of the Lexus RX, NX, LBX and Toyota C‑HR, Corolla, Yaris and Yaris Cross reported being unable to open doors when the battery failed, effectively trapping occupants inside. The problem stems from the electronic release mechanism, which relies on battery power and does not default to a manual override. The survey highlights a pattern across multiple model years, prompting concerns about design resilience and prompting calls for a recall or software fix from the manufacturers.

💡 Why It Matters

· Drivers are left vulnerable in emergencies when a dead battery locks them inside, exposing a critical flaw in a technology marketed as a luxury convenience.

Capsules Transport

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OCTA Is Spending Again On Hydrogen Because The Fuel Chain Failed

The Orange County Transportation Authority is allocating $27.6 million for new hydrogen infrastructure to support expanding its fuel-cell bus fleet from ten to fifty vehicles. This expenditure follows the collapse of a commercial agreement with Air Products, which removed leased equipment from the Santa Ana depot in January 2026. Consequently, the existing station became unusable, causing a 95% drop in hydrogen bus mileage from 2024 to 2025. While OCTA operates battery-electric buses with reliable, cheaper charging infrastructure, it continues investing heavily in hydrogen. The new Garden Grove contract includes design, construction, supply, and maintenance, pushing total refueling spending over $100 million. The agency aims to restore depot capability and add redundancy. Critics argue this represents a strategic failure, given the proven reliability of electric alternatives and the complex, specialized nature of hydrogen supply chains. OCTA’s experience highlights the risks of committing to hydrogen fleets without securing durable, affordable fuel pathways for the vehicles' full service life.

💡 OCTA’s continued investment despite a broken supply chain exposes the hidden fragility of hydrogen transit infrastructure compared to established electric networks. This case study warns other agencies that vehicle procurement is meaningless without a guaranteed, long-term fuel delivery system.

thenextweb.com · Aug 19

Xiaomi’s first EV just passed half a million deliveries

Xiaomi’s SU7 sedan reached 500,000 cumulative deliveries on 17 August, just 28.5 months after its launch. Despite this milestone, SU7 sales fell 43.6% in the first seven months of 2026 compared to the previous year. Conversely, Xiaomi’s total vehicle deliveries rose 14.8% to 216,322 units, driven by the newer YU7 SUV. The YU7 delivered 10,223 units in July, while the SU7 sold 21,044. Xiaomi aims for 550,000 total deliveries in 2026 but has achieved only 39% of that target. Current monthly sales of approximately 31,000 units fall short of the 67,000 needed monthly to meet the annual goal. To bridge this gap, Xiaomi is introducing the Sky Nomad extended-range models and planning European market entry in 2027. Chinese brands currently hold 14.2% of Europe’s battery electric market. Xiaomi’s rapid initial success contrasts with the steep production ramp required to fulfill its ambitious 2026 targets.

💡 Xiaomi’s aggressive 2026 target exposes the volatility of transitioning from a tech giant to an automaker. The company must double its monthly output to succeed, proving that early hype does not guarantee sustained manufacturing scale.

hospitalitynews.in · Aug 19

Choice Hotels Teams Up with Tesla for Nationwide EV Charging

Choice Hotels International has partnered with Tesla to install universal wall connectors at multiple U.S. properties, including Radisson, Cambria, Comfort, Country Inn & Suites, and Quality Inn. The initiative aims to meet growing electric vehicle charging demand while advancing sustainability goals. Guests can easily locate charging-enabled hotels via filters on ChoiceHotels.com and the mobile app. Executives view the partnership as a strategic move to enhance guest satisfaction and potentially increase owner revenue. Currently, 41% of Cambria hotels feature charging stations, with plans to expand coverage to all properties by late 2024. The company’s corporate offices already utilize EV chargers, reflecting a broader environmental commitment. Additionally, Choice Hotels is incentivizing usage by offering bonus points to co-branded credit card holders who charge their vehicles. This comprehensive approach integrates convenience with eco-friendly practices, addressing the evolving needs of modern travelers seeking reliable infrastructure for their electric vehicles during business or leisure trips across the nation.

💡 The integration of Tesla’s universal connectors eliminates brand-specific charging barriers, ensuring broader accessibility for all EV drivers regardless of vehicle make. By tying charging usage to loyalty rewards, Choice Hotels transforms a basic utility into a competitive differentiator that directly drives customer retention and engagement.

cleantechnica.com · Aug 19

Pony AI Plans to Deploy 1,000 Autonomous Heavy Trucks

Pony AI announced plans to deploy 1,000 autonomous heavy‑duty electric trucks within two to three years, targeting long‑haul freight, bulk commodity transport, and port logistics. The company’s fourth‑generation trucks feature a 70% lower hardware cost than previous models and a 20,000‑hour service life. By the end of 2025, 200 trucks will be on the road, with a projected jump to 1,000 soon after. Pony AI’s strategy hinges on mature autonomous systems, reduced costs, and partnerships with manufacturers and logistics operators.

💡 The rollout signals a tipping point for autonomous electric freight, potentially reshaping supply chains and reducing emissions in heavy‑truck operations.

jalopnik.com · Aug 19

Toyota And Lexus Cars With Electronic Door Handles Reportedly Trapping Occupants When…

A recent Which? Car Survey in the United Kingdom uncovered a safety issue affecting several Toyota and Lexus models equipped with electronic door handles. More than 270 consumer reports of dead 12‑volt batteries were logged, and over 75 % involved Toyota or Lexus vehicles. Owners of the Lexus RX, NX, LBX and Toyota C‑HR, Corolla, Yaris and Yaris Cross reported being unable to open doors when the battery failed, effectively trapping occupants inside. The problem stems from the electronic release mechanism, which relies on battery power and does not default to a manual override. The survey highlights a pattern of recurring battery‑related lockouts across multiple model years, prompting concerns about design resilience and emergency egress.

💡 Drivers could be stranded in a potentially dangerous situation because a single battery failure disables the only means of exit.

theverge.com · Aug 19

Tesla is finally launching the Cybercab — let’s hope it’s ready

Tesla announced the commercial debut of its Cybercab, a gold‑tinted autonomous vehicle slated for rollout from the company’s Giga Texas facility. The model, envisioned as the centerpiece of Elon Musk’s plan to dominate urban transportation with robotaxis, will initially operate in select U.S. cities under a limited pilot program. Tesla says the Cybercab combines its latest Full Self‑Driving software with a purpose‑built chassis designed for high‑density ride‑hailing. Production lines at the Austin plant have already been stocked with dozens of units, and the firm expects the fleet to begin serving passengers by the end of the year. Critics, however, caution that the software may still require significant validation before large‑scale deployment, and could set a new benchmark for autonomous mobility.

💡 Successful deployment could prove whether Tesla’s AI stack can handle real‑world, mass‑market robotaxi service.