The Chinese government declared a significant update to vehicle safety standards by banning the use of hidden or electronically operated door handles in automobiles starting from January 1, 2027. This directive, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, requires that all car doors, other than the tailgate, be equipped with mechanical release mechanisms to ensure they can be manually opened in emergencies.
This regulation responds to safety hazards observed in prior incidents involving electric vehicles where electronic door handles malfunctioned, leading to passengers becoming trapped inside. The policy addresses both exterior and interior door handles, emphasizing the necessity for a mechanical fail-safe.
Automakers whose car models were approved before the enforcement date have a grace period and must comply with the new standards by January 1, 2029. Notably, several electric vehicle models currently in circulation, including Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3, BMW’s iX3, as well as various Chinese manufacturers’ vehicles, utilize retractable door handles that would be affected under this regulatory change.
Chris Liu, a senior analyst at Omdia based in Shanghai, noted the potential global implications of China’s decision, highlighting that this is the first major automotive market to codify such restrictions in a national safety standard. He anticipates that other regions might adopt similar requirements, impacting car manufacturers worldwide who could face expensive redesigns or retrofitting costs to comply.
Liu further pointed out that premium electric vehicle models are more likely to be influenced by this regulation because retractable door handles are often integrated into their design and aerodynamic features.
The Ministry had previously circulated a draft of these proposed rules in September for public feedback. In the United States, similar safety concerns prompted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to investigate potential failures of Tesla’s electronic door handles last year.
This regulatory shift signals a broader emphasis on ensuring that critical egress mechanisms function reliably, irrespective of electronic system performance, to enhance passenger safety in emergency situations. Given the enforcement timeline, car manufacturers and industry stakeholders will need to adapt their vehicle designs and safety certifications accordingly in the coming years.