[Thunder]

Is there going to be a override on this button while in motion? I would hope! Seems too easy for cargo to potentially come in contact with it. And if you're the one stuck, I wouldn't want to pop out on the hwy at 65mph to make my escape.

 

[Vandy1981]

NHTSA requires that the emergency release pops the primary latch at all speeds and the secondary release when stopped. It should never completely open at speed. Others have described scenarios where the button is activated at a stop sign and the opening sequence continues when they accelerate.

The button is designed poorly and it should probably be a pull tab or lever instead of a button. In the meantime, you can place a clear plastic cover over the button to prevent unintentional engagement.

 

[Leaf to Lightning : )]

the purpose of the interior 'emergency release' frunk opener button is to do exactly that, to OPEN the frunk for escape, so it makes perfect sense, from an engineering and safety standpoint, that the frunk would completely open if that button is ever pushed, whether accidentally, or not.

Now, as to safety WHILE traveling, and it opens accidentally, that's a different story, and our concern, of course. Those who have stated that it has happened to them have decided to take the bull by the horns and install a 'cover' to prevent this from happening. What type of cover is up to you, although there are probably many cover types that can be modified to fit the situation... if you are a handyman type.

 

[Voltz]

it makes perfect sense, from an engineering and safety standpoint, that the frunk would completely open if that button is ever pushed, whether accidentally, or not.

It would make no sense at all to open the front luggage compartment lid at speed–i.e, sudden braking throws 'kidnap' victim or load out and under truck and/or lid opening suddenly blinds driver resulting in catastrophic crash. It also would not conform to the NHTSA regulation governing emergency release buttons in forward luggage compartments. Instead, it releases the primary latch allowing ventilation and generates a red flag warning on the instrument panel.

 

[Leaf to Lightning : )]

an 'emergency' release can't, tho, be tied to speed or movement, it, by safety definition, has to work all the time, regardless. no matter how we 'think' about someone being shoved into a frunk and locked in, that person just may decide to exit no matter the truck moving, or not, if their life depended on it. That's far-fetched, yes, but since the size of the frunk is what it is, the gov't requires it. Do I think maybe it should be a 'two' staged button, yes, but then again, that might also run afoul with the gov't regulators. Seems that the simplest method is to do just what they do in a trunk - a pull cord release. Problem solved.

 

[Vandy1981]

an 'emergency' release can't, tho, be tied to speed or movement, it, by safety definition, has to work all the time, regardless.

I admire your frunk libertarianism but it would be incredibly unsafe for everyone on the road if the hood flew open at speed and obstructed the driver's view.

Porsche and the EV companies lobbied for NHTSA approval of the existing primary/secondary frunk latch release behavior and I'm inclined to think they're right.

 

[Voltz]

Do I think maybe it should be a 'two' staged button, yes, but then again, that might also run afoul with the gov't regulators.

That is the regulation. And, that is how it is implemented on the Lightning.

 

[FM_Jack]

Is there going to be a override on this button while in motion? I would hope! Seems too easy for cargo to potentially come in contact with it. And if you're the one stuck, I wouldn't want to pop out on the hwy at 65mph to make my escape.

It happened on an out of spec review video. Something shifted during their drive and the frunk unlocked. It didn't come all the way up (I think) but they had to pull over and close it. There needs to be something over the button so that a finger can get through but not a bulky object.

While it is a regulation, it isn't safe to have your hood fly open in your face.

 

[Voltz]

While it is a regulation, it isn't safe to have your hood fly open in your face.

The regulation requires that it work in two stages and not open/release the secondary latch if the vehicle is traveling over 5 km/hr. The electric emergency release does not release the secondary latch while the vehicle is in motion. It does release the primary latch and trigger a red alert to pull over and stop, as it did in the Out of Spec video. Frunks are covered at the end of the regulation:

49 CFR § 571.401 - Standard No. 401; Interior trunk release.

www.law.cornell.edu

 

[ogdobber]

This is the answer 😉

 

[FM_Jack]

This is the answer 😉

Did you fabricate that yourself?

 

[ogdobber]

Did you fabricate that yourself?

@Vithar made it. Plans can be found here

Who’s got a 3d printer?

I was watching a tfl truck video and some gear shifted around in the frunk at highway speeds and hit the “kidnap” button and it opened at speed. Not sure how much it opened, but any amount is a scary scenario. So what I’m thinking is like a toggle switch guard. Installs with 2 way tape so no...

www.lightningowners.com

 

[ChasingCoral]

an 'emergency' release can't, tho, be tied to speed or movement, it, by safety definition, has to work all the time, regardless.

Please show us where this is stated in the NHTSA regulations. While a very strident statement made to sound like fact, your sentence is merely a supposition with no basis in reality.
49 CFR § 571.401 agrees with me and wholeheartedly shoots down your exposition.