China Takes a Stand: Bans Hidden Door Handles on Electric Vehicles

Tue Feb 03 2026 10:53:58 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a bold move prioritizing safety, China has enacted regulations banning hidden door handles in electric vehicles, requiring every car to have accessible mechanical door releases by 2027.

China has officially banned hidden door handles on electric vehicles due to safety concerns, marking a pivotal step in vehicle design regulations. The new rules mandate the inclusion of mechanical door releases, effective from January 2027. This decision follows recent incidents involving electric vehicles, shining a spotlight on safety in the rapidly expanding EV market. While primarily aimed at domestic manufacturers, the regulation is expected to impact global vehicle designs due to China's significant influence in the automotive industry.

China has banned hidden door handles on electric vehicles (EVs), making it the first country to stop the use of the controversial designs that were made popular by multi-billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla.

This decision comes as EVs are facing scrutiny from safety watchdogs worldwide, following several alarming incidents, including two fatal crashes involving Xiaomi EVs, where power failures were believed to have prevented doors from being opened.

Under the new regulations, vehicles will only be allowed to be sold if they have a mechanical release on both the inside and outside of their doors, according to state media.

The rules, which will take effect on January 1, 2027, require every passenger door (except the boot) to have a recessed space measuring at least 6cm by 2cm by 2.5cm to facilitate door access.

Additionally, there must be instructions inside the car showing how to open the door, with signs at least 1cm by 0.7cm in size.

Cars already approved by authorities and set to enter the Chinese market will have another two years to adapt their designs.

Hidden handles are prevalent in China’s new energy vehicle market, found in about 60% of the best-selling NEVs, as reported by government-controlled newspaper China Daily.

Although these regulations will apply primarily to models sold in China, the country's extensive presence in the global automotive market means their influence will likely extend internationally.

Tesla's door handles are already under investigation by U.S. safety regulators, with European authorities also considering their safety regulations. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a probe into Tesla's electric-powered door handles due to reports they can malfunction, sometimes leaving children trapped inside the vehicles.