China bans hidden car door handles over safety concerns

China has announced a nationwide ban on hidden car door handles, becoming the first country to formally prohibit the design amid growing global scrutiny of electric vehicle (EV) safety and a renewed focus on passenger protection.

The new regulations, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, will require all cars sold in China to be fitted with mechanical door releases on both the inside and outside. The rules are set to take effect on 1 January 2027, giving manufacturers time to adapt while signalling a clear shift towards more practical and safety-focused vehicle design.

Hidden door handles, which sit flush with the car body and often rely on electric power to deploy, were popularised by Tesla and have since become widespread across China’s rapidly expanding new energy vehicle (NEV) market. NEVs include fully electric cars, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. According to figures cited by state-run China Daily, around 60% of the top 100 best-selling NEVs in China currently use hidden handles.

The decision follows a series of high-profile safety concerns, including two fatal crashes in China involving Xiaomi electric vehicles, where suspected power failures may have prevented occupants or rescuers from opening the doors. While investigations into those incidents are ongoing, regulators have moved proactively to reduce similar risks in the future.

Under the new standards, every passenger door except the boot must include a recessed space of at least 6cm by 2cm by 2.5cm on the exterior, ensuring that door handles are always accessible. Inside the vehicle, manufacturers will be required to clearly mark door-opening mechanisms with visible signs measuring at least 1cm by 0.7cm, making emergency exits easier to identify in stressful situations.

Cars that have already received regulatory approval and are close to entering the Chinese market will be granted an additional two-year grace period to update their designs, a move intended to balance safety improvements with industry stability and innovation.

Although the rules apply only to vehicles sold in China, the country’s central role in the global automotive industry means the impact is likely to be felt well beyond its borders. China is the world’s largest EV market and a major exporter of electric cars, components and technology, making its regulatory decisions highly influential.

International regulators are already paying close attention. Tesla’s door handle design is currently under investigation by US safety authorities, and European regulators are also considering whether similar measures are needed. In November, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into Tesla’s electric-powered door handles after receiving reports that they stopped working without warning. The probe focused on 2021 Model Y vehicles, with nine complaints recorded, including four cases where owners said they had to break windows to free occupants.

Chinese officials have framed the new rules as part of a broader effort to ensure that rapid innovation in the EV sector does not come at the expense of basic safety. By mandating simple, mechanical solutions alongside advanced technology, regulators say they are reinforcing consumer confidence and supporting the long-term, sustainable growth of the industry.