Cars with pop-out door handles have gone from futuristic novelty to near-default design over the past few years, especially as EV makers chased Tesla’s clean, minimalist look. They may look slick, but in the real world, they have caused plenty of frustration. From frozen handles in winter to doors that refuse to open when the battery dies, there have been multiple reports of drivers getting locked out and, more worryingly, passengers trapped inside after crashes. Now, Chinese regulators are stepping in to put an end to this trend.
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has announced new vehicle safety rules that effectively ban hidden and flush-mounted door handles on new cars. According to Bloomberg, the regulation will take effect on January 1, 2027, and applies to all newly approved passenger vehicles sold in the country.
The move follows several incidents where electronic door handles failed during accidents or power loss, preventing occupants from escaping and slowing down emergency rescue efforts. Chinese regulators say door handles that rely solely on electronics pose a safety risk, especially in EVs where a damaged or depleted battery can disable critical systems.
Under the new rules, all vehicles must be equipped with clearly visible, mechanically linked door handles that can be operated from both inside and outside the car. Even if the electrical system fails, doors must still be openable by hand. Interior manual releases must also be clearly labeled to ensure passengers can find them quickly in an emergency.
China’s regulation could force global design changes
While the regulation is limited to China, it could have major implications for automakers worldwide. Around 60 percent of China’s best-selling vehicles currently use some form of hidden or pop-out door handles. Brands will now have to redesign upcoming models or risk losing access to the world’s largest EV market. Cars already approved for sale will be given a grace period until 2029.
With China setting this new standard, similar regulations are expected to follow in other markets, pushing the industry back toward simpler, more practical door handle designs.