KATHMANDU: China has officially banned electronically operated and concealed door handles on electric vehicles, citing safety concerns during crashes and power failures.
The regulation will apply to all EVs sold in China from January 1, 2027.
Under the new rules, EVs must be equipped with fully mechanical door release systems on both the inside and outside, allowing doors to open without any electrical power, even if backup batteries exist.
The decision follows several high-profile EV accidents in China where doors reportedly could not be opened after crashes due to power loss. Regulators launched a nationwide review of emergency access standards, focusing on occupant escape and rescuer access.
According to Bloomberg, China’s standards introduce detailed technical requirements. Exterior handles must include a physical recessed grip measuring at least 60 mm by 20 mm, while interior mechanical releases must be clearly marked with emergency signage.
These labels must measure at least 1 cm by 0.7 cm and be installed in fixed, clearly defined positions. Automakers are no longer allowed to rely solely on electronic door systems, even if mechanical cables or backup power are provided.
All new EV models approved after January 1, 2027 must comply, while already approved or near-launch models are granted a grace period until January 2029.
The impact is significant, as nearly 60 percent of China’s top-selling new-energy vehicles still use concealed door handles. Affected brands include Tesla (Model 3, Model Y), Nio, Li Auto, Xpeng, Xiaomi, and upcoming models such as the China-spec BMW iX3. Some manufacturers, including BYD and Geely, have already shifted back to traditional exposed handles.
According to sources, redesigning door systems could cost over $14.4 million per model, making compliance both technically and financially challenging.
While the ban applies only to EVs and not gasoline vehicles, it sets a strong regulatory precedent. Industry observers expect the move to influence global vehicle design, as automakers may standardize mechanical door handles worldwide to avoid regional design differences.
