Electric handbrake?

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Thu 27 Apr 2023 18:30
Electric handbrake? - galileo

This link is to a report of a burning car rolling downhill into a bus.

www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/mo...3

Model details not given, but said to be a VW. Would an electric handbrake be more likely to release due to fire than a mechanical one?

I assume it had not been parked in gear or 'Park' either.

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Thu 27 Apr 2023 18:44
Electric handbrake? - gordonbennet
I suppose electrical shorts could be a reason for both the fire and the rollaway, if it had an automated manual box then as i recall leaving one parked in gear isn't always straighforward if it has no specific P position, it isn't a natural practice like selecting first or reverse via a gearstick and switching off.

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Sat 29 Apr 2023 10:21
Electric handbrake? - Miniman777

Cant answer for VW, but I have a BMW X3 and when that's switched off, the transmission moves automatically to P and also the electronic parking brake is applied. Both IMO are good safety features. The car cant be driven with the drivers door open either.

Use to have a 69 plate Qashqai (manual) which also applied the electronic parking brake on switch off.

As surmised, the release may be a result of the fire - and the situation could have been a whole lot worse had the bus not been there.

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If you cover no more than 100 miles per day and have easy access to a charging point at home or work, then an EV is ideal for you.

Is an electric car right for me?