American EV automaker Tesla Motors is asking for National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s permission to remove conventional side mirrors and replace them with cameras. They want to do this for a number of reasons, starting with the fact that these are smaller and lighter so would improve the fuel efficiency of a car. In addition, cameras could also improve the vehicle’s aerodynamic efficiency and can be installed anywhere on the car, thus eliminating all the blind spots we have to deal with when using the regular side mirrors.
Tesla Motors has the support of Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and in the petition sent to the NHTSA they say installing cameras will “innovate and address field of view, fuel economy and aerodynamic challenges for specific segments of vehicles.” However, regulators as well as safety experts are afraid this switch to cameras could increase the risk of an accident.
Note: Tesla Model X concept pictured
Source: Automotive News
