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China Bans Hidden Car Door Handles, Forcing EV Makers to Rethink Design
Several high-profile incidents intensified scrutiny, including a fatal 2024 crash involving Huawei-backed Aito’s M7 SUV, where rescuers were forced to break windows after power loss disabled the door handles. Three people, including a toddler, died.
China has become the first country to ban hidden car door handles, targeting a design trend popularised by Tesla and widely adopted across the electric vehicle (EV) industry. The move signals a major shift toward safety-first regulation as EVs become mainstream in the world’s largest car market.
The new rules, announced by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), will take effect on January 1, 2027. They require all passenger vehicles sold in China to feature clearly visible door handles and mechanical release systems on both the inside and outside of each door.
Why China Is Acting Now
Hidden or retractable door handles often flush with the vehicle body have become a hallmark of modern EV design. Carmakers argue they improve aerodynamics, aesthetics, and energy efficiency. However, Chinese regulators say these designs can fail during emergencies, especially when electrical systems are damaged in crashes.
The MIIT cited issues including “inconvenient operation” and the “inability to open doors after an accident” as key reasons for the ban. Several high-profile incidents intensified scrutiny, including a fatal 2024 crash involving Huawei-backed Aito’s M7 SUV, where rescuers were forced to break windows after power loss disabled the door handles. Three people, including a toddler, died.
Concerns deepened last year following crashes involving Xiaomi’s SU7 sedan, with videos showing bystanders struggling to open the doors because of battery-powered handle failures.
What the New Rules Require
Under the updated regulations, every passenger door—excluding the boot—must have a physically accessible handle and a mechanical release mechanism that works independently of electrical power. Interior signage must clearly indicate how doors can be opened in emergencies.
Models already approved for sale will be given a transition period of up to two years to comply, avoiding immediate disruption for manufacturers close to market launch.
Impact on Tesla, BYD, Xiaomi and Others
The ruling will affect a large portion of China’s EV market. Government data suggests nearly 60% of the top-selling new energy vehicles in China use some form of hidden door handle.
Industry analysts say the regulation will not require complete vehicle redesigns but will force manufacturers to modify existing platforms. The added cost is expected to be modest, particularly for high-volume EV makers such as BYD, Tesla, and Xiaomi.
BYD executive vice-president Stella Li has already signaled compliance, stating the company is prepared to adapt designs in line with government requirements.
Global Implications for the EV Industry
Although the rule applies only to vehicles sold in China, its impact could be global. China’s dominance in EV manufacturing and exports means safety standards adopted domestically often influence international design norms.
Regulators in the United States and Europe are already investigating similar concerns. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened probes into Tesla’s electric door handles after reports of passengers being trapped.
China’s decision may accelerate a worldwide shift away from ultra-minimalist EV designs, reinforcing a broader message: as electric vehicles move into the mass market, safety is no longer negotiable—even at the cost of style.
