China has become the first nation to ban hidden or flush door handles on electric vehicles, forcing carmakers to return to mechanical releases amid growing safety concerns about passengers being trapped inside cars during emergencies.
The controversial designs, popularized by sleek modern EVs, sit flush with the bodywork and often rely on electric motors or pop out mechanisms. They have become a signature look for brands like Tesla, helping improve aerodynamics and giving cars a futuristic appearance. But regulators now say style may be coming at the expense of safety, the BBC reports.
Under new rules issued by Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, all passenger doors must include a mechanical release accessible from both inside and outside the vehicle. The regulations also specify minimum recessed spaces for exterior handles and require clear interior markings showing how to open the door. The measures will take effect on 1 January 2027, with a transition period for models already nearing approval.
The crackdown follows several high profile incidents that raised alarm. Two fatal crashes in China involving electric vehicles from Xiaomi reportedly involved suspected power failures that may have prevented doors from opening. Safety experts worry that if a vehicle loses electrical power after a collision, electronic handles could stop functioning, delaying escape or rescue.
Hidden handles are extremely common in China’s fast growing new energy vehicle market, which includes electric, hybrid, and fuel cell cars. State media estimates they appear on around 60 percent of the country’s top selling models. That means the new policy could force widespread redesigns across the industry.
Although the regulation only applies to vehicles sold domestically, China’s enormous role in global manufacturing means the impact may spread far beyond its borders. Automakers often standardize designs across markets to reduce costs, so safer mechanical handles in China could become the default worldwide.
Regulators elsewhere are already paying attention. In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into Tesla’s powered door handles after complaints that they failed, in some cases leaving occupants stuck inside.
For an industry obsessed with smooth lines and hidden hardware, the message is clear. When it comes to emergencies, simple mechanical solutions may still beat high tech ones.