China Officially Bans Electric Car Door Handles Starting 2027, Here's the Reason

JAKARTA - Starting in 2027, China will ban electric and slim retractable door handles that are increasingly common in modern vehicles. This decision was taken following a worrying pattern of fatal accidents, where passengers and rescue workers are unable to open car doors after a collision.

Based on the report of Carscoops, quoted, Tuesday, December 30, Based on the new regulations, all vehicles are required to have interior and exterior door handles with traditional functions, so that the door can still be opened when the vehicle is severely damaged.

The first indication of the change came in mid-December, when China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology included the proposal in a new draft regulation.

The regulation requires every passenger vehicle with a weight of less than 3.5 tons to use a door handle that remains mechanically functional after a collision.

Electrically retractable door handles, as seen on models such as the Tesla Model S and BYD Seal, have become a hallmark of contemporary EV design in China. Tesla's push-button door handles, found on the Model 3 and Model Y, fall into the same category.

Much of its appeal comes from the aerodynamic efficiency offered by these designs, which help manufacturers gain marginal range improvements.

However, the number of complaints about this door handle has increased since 2024. This door handle not only has difficulty functioning after a collision, but can also experience problems in cold weather.

There have been several major accidents involving retractable door handles. On October 13, a car passenger was killed in an accident in Chengdu because eyewitnesses could not open the door. Three people died in a separate accident in the city of Tongling recently. Sixth Tone reported that both accidents involved the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra.

In fact, since last September there have been talks about China's plans to ban this type of door handle. Although manufacturers often promote flat door handles as something useful for efficiency, the actual benefits may be negligible. Of course, the ban in China will have an impact around the world.