A method for moving an elevator car of an elevator for evacuating passengers from the elevator car in the event of a power failure, wherein a brake blocks a vertical movement of the elevator car, includes the steps of: applying an electrical pulse or a plurality of electrical pulses to the brake of the elevator car to release the brake and unblock the vertical movement of the elevator car, the brake being released for as long as the particular electrical pulse is applied to the brake; determining a covered height which the elevator car has covered during the application of the particular electrical pulse; comparing the determined covered height with a predetermined distance; and terminating the application of the particular electrical pulse to the brake when the determined covered height is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance.