China is preparing to ban retractable, electrically actuated door handles on new vehicles, a move that directly challenges one of the most recognizable design trends popularized by Tesla and widely adopted across the electric vehicle industry. According to draft regulations released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, all passenger vehicles weighing under 3.5 tons sold in China from January 1, 2027, will be required to have clearly accessible mechanical door handles on both the inside and outside of the car, as reported by Autoblog.
The proposed rule targets door handles that rely entirely on electric motors to deploy. Regulators argue that these systems can fail during collisions, fires, or power outages, potentially trapping occupants inside vehicles at critical moments. While many electric vehicles already include mechanical emergency releases, authorities say these are often hidden, poorly labeled, or difficult to operate under stress.
The concern is not theoretical. Chinese regulators point to incidents where doors could not be opened after crashes because batteries were damaged or wiring systems failed. Cold weather malfunctions, delayed handle deployment, and reports of injuries caused by pinched fingers have also added to scrutiny. By mandating mechanical handles as a baseline requirement, regulators aim to ensure that doors can always be opened regardless of electrical system status.
The decision places companies such as Tesla squarely in the spotlight. All current Tesla models use flush-mounted, electronically actuated door handles, a design choice that has drawn criticism for years. In several high-profile accidents, occupants reportedly struggled to exit vehicles after power was lost, sometimes resorting to breaking windows. While Tesla vehicles do include manual releases inside the cabin, their placement and operation have been criticized as unintuitive, particularly in emergency situations.
Other automakers will also be affected. Brands such as BYD, Mercedes-Benz, and several Chinese EV startups have embraced retractable handles as a way to reduce aerodynamic drag and reinforce a futuristic aesthetic. With China representing the world’s largest EV market, compliance with the new standard will likely force widespread redesigns or the addition of more obvious and robust mechanical overrides.
Industry observers have compared the moment to the decline of pop-up headlights, another once-fashionable automotive feature that disappeared after safety regulations tightened. Retractable door handles may soon follow a similar path, at least in markets that prioritize fail-safe mechanical operation over sleek styling.
China’s move could have global implications. If the policy proves effective, other regulators may adopt similar rules, especially as electric vehicles become more common worldwide. For now, automakers selling in China face a clear message: visual minimalism cannot come at the cost of basic emergency access.
