China has become the first country to ban concealed door handles on electric vehicles (EVs), a design popularized by Tesla, following a series of deadly incidents. Under new safety rules issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on February 2, all cars sold in China must have mechanical door releases both inside and outside. The regulation will take effect on January 1, 2027, with vehicles already approved for launch given until January 2029 to comply.
The move comes after several high-profile accidents, including two fatal Xiaomi EV crashes in China, where suspected power failures prevented doors from opening, trapping passengers. While the new rules directly affect EVs sold in China, the country’s outsized influence on the global automotive industry means the decision could have far-reaching implications worldwide. Tesla’s door handles are already under safety scrutiny in the U.S., and European regulators are considering similar rules.
“China is shifting from being just the largest EV market to a rule-setter for new vehicle technologies,” said Bill Russo, founder of Shanghai-based consultancy Automobility. “By acting first, Beijing can leverage its domestic market to set safety standards that automakers, both domestic and foreign, must follow—standards that could eventually shape global norms.”
Implementing the rule may be costly for manufacturers. Sources familiar with the design process at Chinese EV companies estimate redesigns could exceed 100 million yuan (US$18.3 million) per model. Around 60% of the top 100 best-selling new-energy vehicles in China currently feature concealed handles, mostly on luxury models that prioritize sleek, futuristic designs. Affected vehicles include Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, BMW iX3, and Chinese models such as Nio ES8, Li Auto i8, Xpeng P7, and Xiaomi’s SU7.
The rules are highly specific: external handles must provide a recessed space of at least 6 cm by 2 cm for a hand to grip, while interior signage indicating door operation must measure no less than 1 cm by 0.7 cm. Placement of handles and signs is also regulated. Existing safety systems, such as mechanical pull-cables and backup door batteries, will become redundant under the new standards.
While Chinese manufacturers have already begun adapting, foreign automakers have yet to announce detailed compliance plans. Tesla has indicated it will make necessary changes, potentially including a more intuitive manual release mechanism and programming locks to open automatically when battery voltage is low.
Analysts warn the regulations could influence global EV safety standards. “China’s leadership in electrification and self-driving technology means its regulatory approach will likely set benchmarks worldwide,” Russo said.
Beyond door handles, Chinese authorities also plan to impose restrictions on rapid vehicle acceleration from a standstill and increase oversight of advanced driver-assistance systems, signaling a broader effort to lead in global automotive safety.
