China has announced a ban on the use of hidden or retractable car door handles, effective from the beginning of 2027, in a move aimed at enhancing safety standards in the automotive industry, particularly for electric vehicles.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology stated that the new rules require all car doors, except for the rear trunk lid, to have internal and external mechanical opening mechanisms, with improved visibility of internal door handles through permanent graphical markings.
The ministry added that car models already approved for the Chinese market will receive an additional grace period of two years, until January 1, 2029, to comply with the new standards.
The decision comes amid growing safety concerns related to electronic or “flush” door handles, which are widely used in modern electric vehicles to reduce air resistance and improve energy efficiency, but may malfunction in accident scenarios.
Chinese media highlighted a prominent incident that occurred last October in Chengdu, where rescue workers were unable to open the doors of a burning electric vehicle due to a failure of the electronic system, resulting in the driver’s death.
Analysts believe the impact of this move could extend beyond China, the world’s largest electric vehicle market, especially as Chinese companies expand into foreign markets.
It is noted that retractable door handles entered the electric vehicle industry with the launch of the Tesla Model S in 2012 and later spread to numerous models, including those from Tesla, BMW, and local Chinese brands, before sparking increasing debate about their safety in emergencies.
Tesla Model YL
The Tesla Model Y is an all-electric compact crossover SUV produced by Tesla, Inc., introduced in 2020. It builds upon the company’s history of electric vehicle innovation and platform sharing, being based on the Model 3 sedan to accelerate its development and production.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China, with a history spanning over three millennia as a major political and cultural center. It served as the seat of imperial power during several dynasties, most notably the Ming and Qing, and is home to UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Today, it is a modern global metropolis that blends ancient historical architecture with contemporary development.
China
China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over four millennia. It is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which reflect its long imperial past and profound cultural achievements.
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is a cabinet-level executive agency of the People’s Republic of China, established in 2008 as part of a government restructuring. It is responsible for regulating and formulating policy for China’s industrial sectors, information technology development, and telecommunications infrastructure.
Chengdu
Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province in southwestern China, historically serving as a major administrative and commercial center since its founding over 2,300 years ago during the Shu Kingdom. It is globally renowned as the home of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and for its profound cultural heritage, including Sichuan opera and distinctive spicy cuisine.
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S is an all-electric luxury sedan introduced by Tesla, Inc. in 2012, which played a pivotal role in proving the viability and desirability of long-range electric vehicles for the mass market. Its history is marked by continuous over-the-air software updates and iterative hardware improvements, setting new standards for performance, safety, and technology in the automotive industry.
Tesla
Tesla is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company founded in 2003 by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, though it is most famously led by CEO Elon Musk. The company is named after the inventor and electrical engineer Nikola Tesla and has played a pivotal role in popularizing electric cars globally.
BMW
BMW, or Bayerische Motoren Werke, is a German multinational company founded in 1916, originally manufacturing aircraft engines before shifting to motorcycles and automobiles. Today, it is globally renowned as a premium manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles, headquartered in Munich, Germany.
