China Bans Hidden Car Door Handles Over Safety Concerns

Beginning in early 2027, China will implement a ban on concealed door handles in cars, a design feature prominent in many electric vehicles (EVs), particularly Tesla models. The move, announced by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, mandates that all car doors, except for the tailgate, must include a mechanical release function.

The rationale behind this decision stems from safety concerns that arose after fatal accidents in which electronic door mechanisms malfunctioned, trapping occupants inside their vehicles. To mitigate such risks, the new regulation aims to ensure that cars have door handles equipped with a manual release.

Photographed at a Tesla showroom in Beijing on February 3, 2026, is a woman opening the door of a Tesla Model YL, a vehicle that may be affected by the new mandates. China is set to phase out the use of minimalist design handles, like those popularized by Tesla, for enhanced vehicle safety.

The requirement will be enforced starting January 1, 2027. However, manufacturers of pre-approved car models have until January 1, 2029, to redesign their vehicles to meet these standards. This policy affects not only Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 but also BMW’s iX3 and various models from Chinese automotive brands, which feature retractable door handles that will need alterations to comply.

Chris Liu, a senior analyst based in Shanghai with technology research group Omdia, suggests that these alterations could have substantial global ramifications. The necessity for redesigns or retrofits could incur significant costs for carmakers.

“China is the first major automotive market to specifically ban electrical pop-out and press-to-release concealed door handles,” Liu stated. “While safety concerns have been noted in other regions, China is pioneering the formalization of these concerns into national safety standards.”

Liu also anticipates that regulatory bodies in Europe and other regions may align with China’s approach, taking inspiration from its stringent policies. Particularly for premium EV models, the shift might substantially affect the use of retractable handles, which often serve as both an aesthetic and aerodynamic feature.

A public draft of the new rules was initially shared by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in September to gather feedback. Meanwhile, in the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had already commenced an investigation into malfunction reports associated with Tesla’s electronic door handles.