China Bans Hidden Car Door Handles Over Safety Concerns
Saturday, 2026/02/07216 words3 minutes310 reads
In an unprecedented regulatory move, China has become the first nation to prohibit hidden door handles on electric vehicles, establishing a new benchmark for automotive safety standards that is poised to reverberate throughout the global industry.
The legislation emerges in response to mounting safety concerns following several fatal incidents, notably two crashes involving Xiaomi electric vehicles where suspected power failures allegedly trapped occupants inside. The new framework mandates that all vehicles incorporate mechanical release mechanisms on both interior and exterior door surfaces, ensuring functionality independent of electrical systems.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has delineated precise specifications: exterior passenger doors must feature recessed handle spaces measuring no less than 6cm by 2cm by 2.5cm, while interior emergency releases require conspicuous signage of at least 1cm by 0.7cm dimensions. Implementation commences January 1, 2027, with a two-year grace period for vehicles in advanced approval stages.
The regulations target a widespread design trend, as hidden handles currently feature in approximately 60% of China's top-selling new energy vehicles. Given China's formidable presence in the global automotive sector, this regulatory intervention is anticipated to catalyze similar measures internationally. Indeed, Tesla's door handle systems are already under investigation by US safety regulators, while European authorities are contemplating analogous restrictions, signaling a potential paradigm shift in vehicle design philosophy worldwide.
