China to Ban Hidden Door Handles on Cars for Enhanced Safety

In a significant move, China has announced a ban on hidden door handles in vehicles, a feature that has become prevalent in Tesla’s electric vehicles and various other EV models. This new regulation will take effect starting next year and aims to enhance passenger safety.

According to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, all car doors must be equipped with a mechanical release function for handles, with the exception of tailgates. This policy was introduced following accidents involving electric vehicles where electronic door systems reportedly failed, causing passengers to become trapped inside.

The policy will be effective from January 1, 2027, for both internal and external door handles. Manufacturers of car models already approved will have until January 1, 2029, to comply with the new regulations. Vehicles such as Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3, BMW’s iX3, and other models from Chinese brands featuring retractable door handles will need to adhere to these guidelines.

Chris Liu, a senior analyst based in Shanghai with the technology research and advisory group Omdia, stated that the global impact of China’s decision could be considerable. Other regions might align with China’s policy concerning retractable door handles. Car manufacturers might face extensive redesigns or costly retrofitting.

“China is the first major automotive market to explicitly ban electrical pop-out and press-to-release hidden door handles,” Liu noted. “While other regions have flagged safety concerns, China is the first to formalize this into a national safety standard.”

It’s anticipated that regulators in Europe and elsewhere might consider China’s framework as a reference, potentially adopting similar guidelines. The impact of this policy will be particularly significant for premium electric vehicles, where retractable door handles are often regarded as part of their design and aerodynamic appeal.

This announcement surfaced after China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published a draft of the proposed rules in September for public consultation. Meanwhile, last year, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiated an investigation into reports where Tesla’s electronic door handles malfunctioned.