China has announced a sweeping ban on hidden car door handles, becoming the first country to outlaw a design long associated with Tesla and increasingly common across the electric vehicle (EV) market.
The decision follows growing safety concerns and a series of serious accidents in which electronic door mechanisms failed after collisions or power loss. The new regulations, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, will apply to all cars sold from 1 January 2027.
Hidden or flush door handles—designed to sit seamlessly within the vehicle’s bodywork—rose to prominence through Tesla but have since been adopted by leading Chinese EV manufacturers including Xiaomi, Aion and Nio. While valued for their clean aesthetics and aerodynamic efficiency, such designs rely on electrical systems to deploy or activate the handle. Regulators argue that this reliance introduces a critical safety risk: if the vehicle’s electronics fail during a crash, passengers may be unable to exit, and rescuers may be unable to gain rapid access.
Under the new rules, every passenger door must feature an exterior handle with a mechanical release and a recessed area allowing it to be gripped easily. The specifications require a minimum space of 60 mm by 20 mm by 25 mm on the outside, ensuring operation from any angle. Inside the cabin, door-release mechanisms must be clearly visible and permanently marked, with signage of at least 10 mm by 7 mm. These requirements apply to all passenger doors except the tailgate. Existing models already approved for sale will have until January 2029 to comply.
Chinese regulators have acted following several fatal incidents in which occupants were reportedly trapped inside vehicles after crashes, including cases involving Xiaomi-branded EVs. International scrutiny has also intensified: U.S. safety regulators have ongoing investigations into malfunctioning Tesla door handles, and European authorities are considering similar reforms. Analysts note that China’s move could shape global automotive design standards, given its influence as the world’s largest EV market.
With this ban, China signals a decisive shift toward prioritising mechanical fail-safes over futuristic design—an approach that other markets may soon be compelled to follow.
Staff Writer
Reporting from the front lines of the automotive industry, delivering expert analysis and the technical updates that drive the South African motor sector forward.