China: No More Hidden Handles on Car Doors
China will prohibit hidden, retractable car door handles starting next year, a design feature commonly seen on Tesla electric vehicles and many other EV models.
Under new rules released Monday by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, all car doors — except tailgates — must include a mechanical release function. Officials say the change is meant to address safety concerns following fatal EV crashes in which electronic door systems reportedly failed, trapping passengers inside vehicles, according to the Associated Press.
The requirement takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. Automakers with models already approved for sale will have until Jan. 1, 2029, to update designs to meet the new standard.
Vehicles such as Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3, BMW’s iX3, and numerous models from Chinese brands use retractable or press-to-release door handles that could be affected by the regulation.
Chris Liu, a Shanghai-based senior analyst at research and advisory firm Omdia, said the global impact of China’s move could be significant, with other regions potentially following suit.
“China is the first major automotive market to explicitly ban electrical pop-out and press-to-release hidden door handles,” Liu said. “While other regions have raised safety concerns, China is the first to formalize this into a national safety standard.”
Automakers may face costly redesigns or retrofits, particularly for premium EVs, where retractable handles are often used as a design and aerodynamic feature, Liu noted.
A draft of the rules was released for public comment in September. Last year, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into reports that Tesla’s electronic door handles failed to operate in some cases.
About Post Author
