China Bans Cars with Hidden Door Handles
Technology
China has become the first country in the world to ban the production of cars with hidden door handles. The regulation, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, will take effect on January 1, 2027, and aims to improve passenger safety.
Under the new rules, each door handle must have an external recess of at least 6×2 cm to allow a hand to grip it easily. Inside the car, instructions for manually opening doors must also be displayed. Cars already approved for sale must comply by 2029.
The decision follows several fatal accidents in which passengers could not exit vehicles with malfunctioning hidden handles, including incidents involving fires in two Xiaomi cars.
Hidden handles are widely used in China’s electric vehicle market—around 60% of the top 100 best-selling models feature them. Manufacturers, including Tesla and BYD, have confirmed they will adjust designs to comply with the new standards.
Experts note that China’s ban may influence automakers worldwide, as the country is a global leader in electric vehicles and advanced automotive technologies.
The decision follows several fatal accidents in which passengers could not exit vehicles with malfunctioning hidden handles, including incidents involving fires in two Xiaomi cars.
Hidden handles are widely used in China’s electric vehicle market—around 60% of the top 100 best-selling models feature them. Manufacturers, including Tesla and BYD, have confirmed they will adjust designs to comply with the new standards.
Experts note that China’s ban may influence automakers worldwide, as the country is a global leader in electric vehicles and advanced automotive technologies.
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