China will prohibit hidden door handles on cars beginning in 2027, marking the first time a major automotive market has formalized such a ban on the design feature popularized by Tesla and other electric vehicle makers, CBS News reports.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced the policy in response to safety concerns following fatal EV accidents where electronic doors reportedly malfunctioned, trapping passengers inside vehicles. Under the new regulations, all car doors except the tailgate must include a mechanical release function, CBS notes.
The requirements for new internal and external door handles take effect January 1, 2027. Automakers with previously approved models have until January 1, 2029, to update their designs.
The policy is expected to affect vehicles including Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3, BMW’s iX3, and several models from Chinese manufacturers that feature retractable door handles.
Chris Liu, a senior analyst at technology research group Omdia, told CBS that other jurisdictions may follow China’s lead.
“While other regions have flagged safety concerns, China is the first to formalize this into a national safety standard,” Liu said. He added that the new requirements would impact premium EVs more, as retractable door handles “are treated as a design and aerodynamic statement.”
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation last year into cases where Tesla’s electronic door handles reportedly failed, resulting in death.
