China to ban hidden car door handles
China has announced a ban on retractable door handles to prevent people from getting trapped in their cars. The new rules are set to come into effect on January 1, 2027.
References National standard for enforcement GB 48001—2026《Automobile car door handle safety technology requirements》
China is banning hidden electric door handles for EVs | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/ad/861493/reolinks-floodlight-cameras-offer-video-search-without-a-subscription
China to ban hidden car door handles made popular by Tesla in world first | CNN
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/03/china/china-hidden-car-door-handles-tesla-intl-hnk
The ban applies to retractable door handles, which are recessed into the door and have no gaps above or below. This design was popularized by Tesla and is used by other manufacturers, including Xiaomi, but problems have been reported around the world where doors cannot be opened in the event of an accident.
In October 2025, a Xiaomi car's electronic door handle malfunctioned, preventing the door from opening, and the driver died in the resulting fire. Chinese authorities are investigating
The new regulations require that sufficient space (at least 60mm x 20mm x 25mm) be provided for the door handle to be able to be unlocked by hand, as shown below. Door handles installed on the inside of the vehicle must also be clearly visible from the passenger's position.
In particular, the door handles on the inside of Tesla cars are very confusing, and there have been accidents where people have been trapped inside the car, so Tesla is moving to redesign the door handles.
Tesla redesigns door handles after 'accident involving being trapped inside a Tesla' - GIGAZINE
The new policy does not name any specific companies, but requires all vehicles sold in China, whether domestic or foreign, to be equipped with a clear unlocking mechanism. According to China Daily , about 60% of the top 100 hybrid and electric vehicles sold in China in April 2025 were equipped with retractable steering wheels.
Related Posts:
in Vehicle, Posted by log1p_kr