China to prohibit hidden door handles on vehicles beginning in 2027.
China has announced a significant regulatory change affecting the automotive industry, specifically regarding the design of door handles on vehicles. The country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has unveiled that starting January 1, 2027, all vehicles sold in China must feature mechanical release functions for door handles. This requirement, however, excludes tailgates. The new regulation is a response to safety concerns raised after several fatal accidents involving electric vehicles (EVs), during which electronic door handles reportedly malfunctioned, trapping passengers inside.
This decision comes at a time when the popularity of EVs, including models like Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3, along with several offerings from both domestic and international automakers, is on the rise. Many of these vehicles incorporate retractable door handles, a design feature that is now deemed unsafe under the new rules. For car models that have already received approval, manufacturers will have a transitional period until January 1, 2029, to implement necessary design adjustments to ensure compliance with the new standards.
Analysts believe that the implications of China’s new regulations could resonate globally. Chris Liu, a senior analyst at technology research firm Omdia, noted that China is the first major auto market to explicitly prohibit electronic pop-out and press-to-release door handles, setting a precedent that may influence regulatory decisions in other regions. Liu highlighted that while safety concerns have been acknowledged worldwide, China’s move is the first to institutionalize such concerns into formal regulations.
The impact of these new requirements is expected to be particularly pronounced among premium electric vehicles, as retractable door handles are often utilized for their aesthetic and aerodynamic benefits. The automotive industry is now faced with the challenge of extensive redesigns or retrofits, which could impose significant costs on manufacturers.
A draft version of these regulations was initially released for public comment in September, signaling the government’s proactive approach to automotive safety. The urgency of this new regulation is underscored by the fact that the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had previously launched an investigation into Tesla’s electronic door handles due to reported failures.
As safety remains a paramount concern in the automotive sector, the global community will be watching closely to see whether other markets, particularly in Europe, may mirror China’s regulatory pathway in response to the inherent risks associated with electronic vehicle designs.
