China will ban electric hidden door handles on cars from 2027 after fatal crashes, pushing makers to put safety before aerodynamics. Read more.
Following a spate of deadly accidents involving electric‑powered, hidden door handles, Chinese regulators have announced a sweeping safety overhaul. Starting in 2027, all passenger vehicles under 3.5 tonnes must be equipped with a mechanical door‑opening function that works even when the vehicle’s power is lost.
Why the hidden handles became a safety concern
Over the past few years, the sleek, button‑press door handles that have become a hallmark of many electric cars – from domestic Chinese models to Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y – were marketed as a way to improve aerodynamics and marginally extend range. In practice, the benefit is tiny: wind‑drag reduction of only 0.005‑0.01 Cd, translating to roughly 0.6 kWh saved per 100 km.
What the market ignored were the serious reliability issues. In cold weather the electronic mechanisms can freeze, and in a collision the power‑only system can fail, leaving occupants and rescuers unable to open the doors.
Series of fatal crashes that triggered the crackdown
Since 2024, emergency services have reported multiple cases where crash victims were trapped because the hidden handles would not function after impact. In several incidents, the lack of a manual latch contributed directly to fatalities, prompting public outcry and a push for stricter standards.
New regulations outlined by the MIIT
In December 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released a draft amendment to the national vehicle safety code. Key points include:
- All new passenger vehicles must retain a mechanical opening method on both interior and exterior handles.
- The mechanical function must remain operable after a high‑speed crash or total loss of electrical power.
- Compliance testing will become part of the type‑approval process, with penalties for non‑conforming models.
The rule is expected to make rescues faster and reduce the risk of post‑collision entrapment, especially for the newer generation of electric vehicles that rely heavily on electronic controls.
Impact on Chinese and foreign manufacturers
Domestic automakers, many of whom have already standardized the hidden handle for its visual appeal, will need to redesign their line‑ups for the domestic market. Because China now leads the world in automobile exports, the change is likely to ripple outward.
Western brands that sell in China – such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Tesla – may also be forced to adopt a universal mechanical fallback for all global models, or at least for those destined for markets with similar safety expectations.
Global implications and the future of vehicle design
The ban underscores a growing consensus that passenger safety must trump minor efficiency gains. As other regions watch China’s approach, we may see similar proposals in Europe and North America, especially as electric cars become the dominant segment.
Designers will have to strike a new balance between sleek aesthetics, aerodynamic efficiency, and fail‑safe functionality. The era of fully electronic, “invisible” door handles may be drawing to a close – at least until a truly reliable backup system is developed.