I suggest elevators need separate key to use (like good old ">" and/or "<") There are two annoying elevator issues i'd like to address as reasons:
1) You use storage tower elevator. You appear in the next storage tower floor, surrounded by (not empty) crates. You immediately press "space" to examine such crate but find yourself in the previous storage tower floor instead. So in order to loot the crates you have to step off those 9 elevator tiles.
2) You're in the main tower. You're almost dead. You're out of ammo, medkits, armour and pretty much anything. You are chased by a horde of aliens. You are exactly one step away from elevator tiles and one alien is about to give you a fatal blow/bite. But fortunately you don't hesitate to use some game exploits and press "space" and then direction to the elevator and escape the horde safely without any need of standing on the elevator.
So in the first case our character's life would get a bit easier, while a bit harder in the second case should separate key bindings for elevators be implemented. In both cases our character's life would get more sense.