China Mandates Mechanical Door Handles on Electric Vehicles for Enhanced Safety
In a significant move aimed at improving passenger safety during emergencies, China has officially banned hidden car door handles on electric vehicles (EVs). This regulatory change is designed to make it easier for rescue teams to access occupants following car crashes, addressing a critical vulnerability in modern vehicle design.
New Safety Regulations to Take Effect in 2027
The new rules, announced by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology via a Weibo post on Monday, February 2, will require all vehicles sold in China to feature mechanical door handles that can be operated from either side. This means car doors must be designed so that users can open them manually using exterior handles, particularly in disaster scenarios such as battery fires.
For interior door handles, which often become non-functional under certain circumstances, the regulations mandate that mechanical releases be positioned where they are clearly visible to passengers and not obstructed by other car components. These requirements are set to be enforced starting in 2027, giving automakers time to adapt their designs.
International Scrutiny Following Fatal Incidents
This regulatory shift comes after international scrutiny was heightened by several deadly incidents, including two fatal crashes in China where power failures were suspected to have prevented doors from being opened in Xiaomi EVs. The move reflects growing global concerns about the safety implications of electrically powered, hidden door handles that have become popular in the EV industry.
Global Automakers Face Redesign Requirements
The new regulation will impact all global automakers that sell vehicles in the Chinese market, requiring them to redesign their vehicles to comply with the mechanical handle mandate. While this will affect operations in China, it currently does not extend to the US domestic market, highlighting how these two massive auto markets operate within separate regulatory spheres.
Tesla's Influence on Door Handle Design
The futuristic hidden door handle design was first popularized by American carmaker Tesla, owned by billionaire Elon Musk. Following Tesla's lead, numerous car manufacturers introduced electrically powered, retractable door handles that remain flush with the vehicle's exterior until they detect an approaching driver. Automakers have favored this design for both aesthetic appeal and aerodynamic benefits, but it has introduced a significant safety vulnerability: these handles can malfunction following a crash or battery failure.
Safety Concerns and Fatalities
In September 2025, a Bloomberg report revealed that Tesla's electrically powered doors could become impossible to open from the outside during emergencies, forcing responders to break windows to rescue survivors. According to Bloomberg, 15 deaths have been associated with crashes where Tesla doors would not open, including cases where they couldn't be opened from the inside either.
Both exterior and interior door handle designs have been linked to fatalities, with several drivers reporting difficulties locating manual releases during emergencies, even when such releases exist.
Regulatory Responses in the United States
Following safety concerns, Tesla's chief designer informed Bloomberg that the company was working on redesigning their door handles. Meanwhile, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has commenced investigations into reports of 2021 Tesla Model Y car door handles failing to open from the outside, as well as similar complaints regarding the Tesla Model 3.
The safety regulator has forced recalls in the past for similar issues and is also evaluating a petition related to the Tesla Model 3's interior door releases. Additionally, last month, legislation was introduced in the House requiring automakers to include fail-safe manual releases on car door interiors and a method for rescue workers to access vehicles from the exterior.
Widespread Adoption of Electric Door Handles
Tesla is not alone in utilizing this design. According to Consumer Reports, in the United States, numerous automakers including Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Fiat, Ford, Genesis, Lexus, Lincoln, Maserati, and Volvo all offer electric door handles on some of their models. In China, "almost all" top EV manufacturers have models featuring retractable handles, making the new regulation particularly impactful for the domestic market.
Mounting Pressure for Safety Reforms
Amid China's push for safer vehicles, pressure is now mounting on the United States to address similar concerns. With the NHTSA investigation underway and new legislative proposals emerging, the global automotive industry appears to be at a turning point regarding door handle safety standards, potentially leading to broader changes in vehicle design philosophy worldwide.
