China will ban flush-mounted (hidden) exterior door handles on all new cars sold domestically, effective January 1, 2027. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology requires mechanical release mechanisms for both exterior and interior handles and sets accessibility and visibility standards after reports that some flush handles can be hard to operate or fail after accidents. The change follows safety investigations and incidents involving vehicles with recessed handles, including cases linked to Tesla and other manufacturers.
China Bans Flush (Hidden) Car Door Handles Over Safety Concerns — Rule Takes Effect Jan 1, 2027
The door handle on a 2018 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicle pictured in Cardiff, California on June 1, 2018. - Mike Blake/Reuters
China has announced a nationwide ban on flush-mounted (hidden) exterior door handles for all cars sold domestically, becoming the first country to specifically target the design popularized by Tesla amid growing safety concerns.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said the new rule requires mechanical release mechanisms for both exterior and interior door handles and sets clear accessibility and visibility standards. The regulation responds to reports that some flush handles can be difficult to operate and may fail to open after crashes or in emergencies.
What the Standard Requires
Under the new standard, which takes effect on January 1, 2027, exterior door handles must provide sufficient clearance for a hand to reach and trigger a mechanical release from any angle. Interior handles must be "clearly visible from the corresponding occupant's position," the ministry said. The policy does not single out any manufacturer by name.
Why Officials Cited the Change
The ministry cited "the inconvenience with operating the exterior door handles and their inability to open after an accident" as reasons for the change. Regulators and safety investigators have previously raised alarms about situations in which rescuers or occupants could not open doors quickly after collisions or fires.
Industry Context and Safety Incidents
Flush or recessed handles are closely associated with Tesla vehicles but have also been adopted by several Chinese EV makers on certain models, including companies such as Xiaomi and Aion. CNN has contacted Tesla, Xiaomi and Aion for comment on the new rules.
Internationally, concerns have included a U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation and media reports. A Bloomberg investigation identified roughly 140 incidents in which people became trapped in vehicles with handle-related problems, some resulting in severe injuries. In September, Tesla said it was evaluating changes to emergency door-opening procedures after incidents in which occupants were reportedly trapped in burning vehicles.
China has seen similar scrutiny: Xiaomi's stock fell last year after a March crash that killed three people, with some local reports noting difficulties unlocking the vehicle. After that incident, Chinese regulators tightened rules on marketing and testing of driver-assistance features.
What This Means Going Forward
The new rule is likely to prompt automakers and suppliers to redesign handle systems or add redundant mechanical releases to meet the accessibility and visibility requirements. Proponents of sleek, flush designs will need to balance aesthetic and aerodynamic benefits against new safety and usability requirements.
Timeline: Rule announced by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology; effective date: January 1, 2027.
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