China has banned the use of hidden door handles on electric vehicles, becoming the first country in the world to prohibit this design. Popularized by Tesla, this design is under scrutiny from global regulators due to a series of fatal incidents.
According to new safety standards published Monday by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, vehicles sold in China must be equipped with exterior door handles with mechanical release.
The ministry stated the regulation will take effect from January 1, 2027. Models that have already received type approval should revise their designs to comply by January 2029.
Prior to this, there have been several highly publicized accidents in China, including two Xiaomi electric vehicle fire incidents. In those accidents, the car doors reportedly could not be opened due to power failure, resulting in occupants being unable to escape or be rescued, leading to fatalities. Although the new rule only affects electric vehicles sold in China, China’s influence in the global automotive industry means the impact may spread. In the United States, Tesla’s doors have already been the focus of safety investigations, and European regulators are also considering enacting their own rules.
"China is transitioning from the largest electric vehicle market to a setter of new automotive technology regulatory rules," said Bill Russo, founder of Shanghai-based consultancy Automobility. "By acting first, Beijing can leverage its massive domestic market to lock in safety standards that both Chinese and foreign automakers must adhere to locally—standards that may ultimately be propagated globally as Chinese EV exports expand.”