[amluto]

The doors in older Model S versions had a single lever that would trigger the electronic window controls slightly before you pull hard enough to mechanically release the door. A complete electrical failure would not make it any harder to get the door open or even require additional thought, although it might be mildly impolite to the window seals and politely a bit more than mildly impolite if the door is closed hard before the electrical system wakes up.

I have no idea why Tesla changed this.