The ban applies to electric vehicles and was introduced in response to several tragic incidents, including two accidents involving Xiaomi cars, where a malfunction in the electrical system prevented the doors from opening. These events have drawn increased attention from regulators worldwide to safety standards for electric vehicles.
According to the new rules, which will come into effect on January 1, 2027, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China requires that cars be equipped with mechanical door handles both inside and outside. Each passenger door, except for the trunk, will have a recess added for access to the opening mechanism. Additionally, inside the vehicle, there must be indicators showing how to open the door manually.
Cars that have already received approval for sale in China will be granted an additional two years to update their opening mechanisms.
Hidden electronic door handles first appeared in 2012 on the Tesla Model S and quickly gained popularity among Chinese manufacturers looking to implement high-tech solutions. Currently, about 60% of the 100 best-selling Chinese electric vehicles (NEV) are equipped with such handles, according to China Daily.
Although the new requirements apply only to cars sold in China, experts believe they could impact the global automotive industry. China is actively promoting its standards in the field of electric vehicles, and automakers like Tesla and Kia may have to adapt their models not only for the Chinese market but also on an international level. This could create challenges for companies with unified global projects.
In the U.S., checks on Tesla door designs have already begun, and in Europe, potential new regulations are also being discussed. In particular, in November, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began an investigation following reports that Tesla's electronic door handles could malfunction, leaving children trapped inside vehicles. According to NHTSA, there have been nine reports regarding handles on the 2021 Tesla Model Y, and in four cases, owners had to break windows to exit.
