China has become the first country to ban hidden door handles in cars. This decision aims to address safety concerns stemming from the feature, which gained popularity with Tesla. Hidden door handles sit flush against the car body, and users must press to release them. This design has come under fire for its potential risks in emergencies.
The move comes at a challenging time for Tesla, which has seen a dip in its global sales and faces stiff competition in China, its second-largest market. Other electric vehicle manufacturers, like Xiaomi and Aion, also adopted similar door handle designs.
As per new regulations effective January 1, 2027, all cars sold in China must have mechanical release mechanisms for both interior and exterior door handles. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology highlighted that these designs can hinder access during accidents. They specified that exterior handles should provide enough space for any hand to function easily, while interior handles need to be clearly visible from a passenger’s seat.
This ban isn’t directed at any specific automaker but reflects broader safety concerns. Similar worries have been raised globally. In September, Tesla announced plans to redesign door mechanisms after reports of passengers trapped in burning vehicles. Investigations have revealed incidents where people had to break windows to escape their Teslas. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some owners faced situations where they couldn’t get back into their cars after securing their children inside.
Recent statistics show that Tesla reported over 140 incidents involving their door handles, some leading to serious injuries. Hidden handle designs have also caused issues in China; a fatal crash involving a Xiaomi sedan raised questions about the accessibility of its doors. Following this, the Chinese government tightened regulations on the marketing and testing of autonomous features in vehicles.
In essence, this regulatory change reflects a growing commitment to safety in the automotive industry. Cars should have designs that allow quick access in emergencies, a lesson that manufacturers, both established and emerging, must heed. For more insights on vehicle safety regulations, you can read about the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s investigations and updates on Bloomberg’s findings.
