China has approved a ban on hidden and flush-mounted door handles in electric vehicles, in a move intended to ensure that vehicles can be opened manually during crashes or power outages. The rules are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, with a grace period lasting until 2029 for models that have already received approval.
The new requirements apply to electric vehicles and other vehicles sold in China, which will need to have exterior and interior handles equipped with mechanical release mechanisms. The rules also require a recessed space large enough to grip with the hand, along with small indicators inside the cabin explaining how to open the doors and where the handles are located.
Concerns Over Access to Vehicles
Flush-mounted and electronic handles became widespread after being adopted in vehicles such as the Tesla Model S, as their design helped reduce aerodynamic drag and therefore support electric-vehicle efficiency, while also giving the vehicles a futuristic appearance. The design quickly spread to other companies and models, particularly as some manufacturers moved away from mechanical linkages and relied on electronic switches.
However, this trend has raised growing concerns when the handles fail to deploy or open the doors after a vehicle loses power. Passengers may have difficulty entering or exiting the vehicle after a collision, while first responders may also struggle to access the cabin during rescue operations.
According to investigations referenced by the source, reports submitted to U.S. traffic-safety authorities included more than 140 consumer complaints about door handles on various Tesla models, and Bloomberg linked the issue to 15 traffic deaths. Other companies, including Ford and Fisker, have also been forced to issue recalls because of malfunctioning or unreliable electronic handles.
In China, reports said that power failures prevented rescue teams from opening the doors of two Xiaomi electric vehicles, resulting in the deaths of passengers in two fire accidents. This prompted some Tesla owners to carry tools to help them escape in the event of a fire, or to add ropes and modifications to the handles.
Potential Impact Outside China
Although the new rules apply to the Chinese market, the size of that market and its influence on the global automotive industry could prompt companies to adopt similar designs in other regions. Bloomberg estimated that modifying existing and in-development models in China could impose costs of up to tens of millions of dollars on automakers.
Companies such as Tesla are expected to feel the effects of the decision, while some manufacturers are already working to improve opening mechanisms. Tesla design chief Franz von Holzhausen said the company would make changes to interior door handles to make mechanical release mechanisms easier to use, while Volvo is moving toward a similar approach.
The scope of the change could expand if European and U.S. regulators tighten their rules. The source points to a U.S. bill called the SAFE Exit Act, introduced the previous month, intended to promote the establishment of federal standards for electronic handles.
The article’s author argues that efficiency gains and a modern appearance may not justify the risks of difficulty opening doors, citing a personal experience with Kia EV6 handles that can freeze in winter, as well as the difficulty of using them for passengers with arthritis. The article also quoted U.S. Representative Robin Kelly as saying that prioritizing profits or design over people’s safety turns this technology from an innovation into a safety failure.