In a significant regulatory shift, China will prohibit vehicles equipped with concealed door handles lacking mechanical release mechanisms beginning January 2027. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced this week that all passenger doors—excluding tailgates—must incorporate physical unlocking functionality to address critical safety vulnerabilities observed in emergency situations.
The policy development follows multiple tragic incidents where electronic door systems failed during accidents, trapping occupants inside vehicles. Automotive manufacturers will face a phased compliance timeline: newly approved models must meet requirements by 2027, while existing approved models have until January 2029 to implement necessary design modifications.
This regulation particularly affects premium electric vehicles utilizing retractable handles as design and aerodynamic features. Impacted models include Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3, BMW’s iX3, and numerous Chinese-branded EVs that currently employ flush-mounted handle systems.
Industry analysts anticipate global ramifications from China’s pioneering safety standard. Chris Liu, senior analyst at technology research firm Omdia, noted that while other regions have expressed concerns about hidden handles, China becomes the first major automotive market to formalize prohibitions. European regulators and other jurisdictions may subsequently align with or reference China’s approach, potentially creating a new international safety benchmark.
The regulatory process began with a draft proposal released for public commentary in September, indicating thorough stakeholder consultation. This development coincides with ongoing investigations by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into Tesla’s electronic door handle performance failures, highlighting international attention to this safety issue.
Automakers now face substantial redesign challenges and potential cost implications as they reengineer door systems to combine aesthetic appeal with mechanical reliability, potentially reshaping EV design priorities worldwide.