China Bans Hidden Car Door Handles for Safety

China has banned the use of hidden door handles on electric vehicles (EVs) due to safety concerns, becoming the first country to do so. The new regulations, set to take effect on January 1, 2027, require cars to have mechanical releases both inside and outside their doors. The move is likely to impact the global car industry, as China's market is significant, and other countries, including the US and those in Europe, are considering similar rules. The ban comes after several deadly incidents involving EVs, including two fatal crashes in China where power failures may have prevented doors from being opened. Tesla, whose EVs popularized hidden door handles, is already being investigated by US safety regulators over issues with its door handles.

China is set to ban hidden car door handles on all vehicles sold in the country, becoming the first nation to do so due to safety concerns. The feature, popularized by Tesla, has been criticized for trapping passengers in emergency situations. The new policy, effective January 1, 2027, requires cars to have mechanical release features for both interior and exterior door handles. Tesla, Xiaomi, and Aion are among the companies affected, with Tesla already considering redesigning its door handles following reports of trapped passengers.

China is set to ban hidden car door handles on all electric vehicles (EVs) due to crash safety concerns. The new regulations, announced by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, will require all EVs sold in China to have mechanical releases on both the inside and outside of every door, except the boot. The design, popularized by Tesla, has been linked to several deadly incidents where occupants were trapped in vehicles due to power failures. The regulations will take effect on January 1 next year, with some vehicles already approved given a two-year grace period to update designs. China is the world's largest EV market, and this move is expected to impact Chinese car manufacturers and the global EV industry.