Will the world follow China and ban concealed door handles on EV

Will the world follow China and ban concealed door handles on EV cars big Blow To Tesla Design

China has moved to ban concealed door handles on electric vehicles, delivering a major setback to the sleek design language popularised by Elon Musk’s Tesla and sending a signal that safety will now trump style in the world’s largest EV market.

Under new rules finalised by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, all passenger vehicles sold in China will be required to feature mechanical door-release handles on both the interior and exterior of every door. The regulation explicitly outlaws hidden or electronically actuated handles that cannot be reliably operated after a crash or power failure.

The rules take effect on 1 January 2027, with vehicles already approved for sale granted a transition period until 1 January 2029.

In its statement, the ministry cited repeated safety concerns, including the “inconvenience” of concealed handles and their failure to open after accidents. Regulators said the aim was to reduce “escape and rescue risks” when vehicles lose electrical power or sustain impact damage.

The move follows a series of high-profile incidents in China in which occupants or rescuers were unable to open EV doors after crashes. In one case last year, first responders reportedly struggled to open a Xiaomi SU7 sedan after a collision, trapping the driver as the vehicle caught fire.

China’s ban marks the first time a major regulator has explicitly outlawed a specific vehicle design feature on safety grounds. About 60 per cent of the 100 best-selling new energy vehicles in China currently use hidden door handles, according to state media.

Tesla is expected to be the most immediately affected. Its Model S, Model 3 and Model Y all rely on flush, electrically powered handles, with manual releases designed primarily as backups. The design has faced mounting scrutiny worldwide following accidents where doors were difficult to open after fires or power loss.

China’s decision could also have global consequences. As Tesla’s largest manufacturing and export hub, regulatory changes in China often ripple into worldwide vehicle designs, forcing automakers to simplify production rather than maintain multiple architectures.

Key Takeaways

• China has banned hidden EV door handles on safety grounds.

• Tesla’s signature flush-handle design is directly in the firing line.

• Chinese safety rules often reshape global car designs.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT