China is set to become the first country to ban concealed door handles on electric vehicles, responding to mounting safety concerns following several deadly accidents. The move targets a design feature popularised by Tesla and widely adopted across the global EV industry. Regulators say the new rules aim to strengthen vehicle safety standards and ensure occupants can exit cars during emergencies, even in the event of power failure.
New Safety Regulations Announced
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced that all cars sold in the country will be required to include a mechanical release on both the interior and exterior of every door, with the exception of the boot. The regulation is scheduled to take effect on 1 January next year and applies to both fully electric vehicles and hybrids.
The rules specify that vehicles must provide a manually operable space measuring at least 6cm by 2cm by 2.5cm to release doors without electricity. Inside the vehicle, clear visual instructions must indicate how occupants can open doors manually in an emergency.
Origins and Spread of the Design
Flush mounted pop-out door handles were first introduced to the mass market with the release of the Tesla Model S in 2012. Designed to reduce aerodynamic drag, the handles sit flush with the car body and rely on electronic signals to activate the latch.
Since then, the design has become common across the EV industry. In China, state media reports that roughly 60 percent of the top 100 bestselling new energy vehicles feature concealed door handles, making the regulation particularly impactful for domestic manufacturers.
Impact on Automakers
Vehicles released after January next year must comply with the new standards, forcing many manufacturers to redesign existing models. Cars that have already received regulatory approval and are nearing market launch will be granted a two year grace period to update their designs.
China is the world’s largest electric vehicle market, and its manufacturers are increasingly exporting vehicles abroad. As a result, the regulation could influence global EV design practices, especially for brands seeking access to the Chinese market.
Deadly Accidents and Global Scrutiny
The ban follows several high profile accidents in which occupants were trapped inside vehicles after power failures disabled electronic door systems. In October, a fatal crash in Chengdu involving Xiaomi’s SU7 electric sedan left bystanders unable to open the doors before the car caught fire.
In the United States, Tesla is facing a lawsuit related to a 2024 Cybertruck crash in which a fire cut power to the vehicle’s electric doors, trapping passengers inside. Three of the four occupants died, according to a police report.
China’s Expanding EV Influence
China’s dominance in the EV market gives the regulation significant weight. Recent figures show that Chinese automaker BYD surpassed Tesla in global EV sales last year for the first time. With dozens of Chinese brands expanding internationally, the country’s safety standards may increasingly shape global industry norms.
Conclusion
China’s decision to ban concealed door handles marks a major shift in electric vehicle safety regulation. By prioritizing mechanical fail safes over design efficiency, regulators are signaling that occupant safety will outweigh aesthetic and aerodynamic gains, potentially setting a precedent for EV markets worldwide.