Beijing is set to implement a new national safety standard that will require electric vehicles (EVs) to be equipped with traditional, operable exterior and interior door handles, effectively phasing out the flush, hidden designs popularized by Tesla and widely adopted across China’s burgeoning EV market. The regulation, slated to take effect on January 1, 2027, aims to enhance passenger safety in emergency situations.
New Safety Standard Targets Hidden Door Handles
Under the mandate from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), all new EV models must feature door handles that remain functional even in cases of irreversible restraint system failures or battery thermal runaway incidents. Furthermore, doors must be operable even if the vehicle loses all electrical power. Interior doors will also require at least one independent mechanical release mechanism per door.
Automakers with models already approved for launch will have an extended grace period, with design modifications required to be completed by January 2029.
Safety Concerns Drive Regulatory Change
The shift away from hidden door handles stems from significant safety concerns. These integrated designs, often flush with the car’s body, were adopted by many manufacturers, including most Chinese EV makers, to achieve sleeker aesthetics and improved aerodynamics. A CNEV Post report indicated that approximately 60% of China’s top-selling EVs currently utilize this design element.
Chinese authorities have pointed to several critical incidents where the inability to open vehicle doors, both from the inside and outside, hindered rescue efforts following crashes or power failures. A notable case involved a recent fatality where occupants or first responders could not open the doors of a Xiaomi SU7 after a collision and subsequent fire in Chengdu, sparking widespread debate about the safety implications of such designs.
