China Bans Hidden Car Door Handles From January 2027 Due To Safety Concerns

China has announced a ban on fully hidden car door handles from January 1, 2027, according to Reuters. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has issued the mandate citing safety hazards and functional problems associated with these mechanisms.

The ban will require all cars sold in China to have both interior and exterior mechanical door releases. Vehicles must provide a minimum hand-operation space of 60mm x 20mm x 25mm on the exterior handles, regardless of whether they are flush or retracted. The regulation aims to ensure that occupants can exit vehicles in emergencies without relying on electronic systems.

Reports indicate that the policy has been developed following multiple incidents where passengers and rescue workers were unable to open doors during accidents and fires. Fully hidden handles, which are common on electric vehicles from brands including Tesla, BYD, Xiaomi, and NIO, have raised concerns about functionality and safety during power failures.

The regulation does not ban all flush door handles. Semi-hidden and traditional handle designs will remain permitted, provided they include mechanical redundancy. This means handles must function without depending on electricity or specialised tools.

According to the report in Reuters, automakers have been notified of the upcoming changes. The transition period allows manufacturers one year to adapt their vehicle designs. Industry observers note that this regulation could reshape the design of electric vehicles in the world's largest auto market.

China's move reflects growing concerns about hidden door handles globally. Wei Jianjun, Chairman of Great Wall Motor, previously criticised these handles, stating that they contribute negligibly to reducing aerodynamic drag whilst being heavy, noisy, and dependent on electric power.

In India, several car manufacturers have introduced flush door handles in recent years. The Mahindra XUV 7XO offers both mechanical and electric flush door handles depending on the trim level. Lower variants feature mechanical handles that pop out when pressed, whilst higher trims include electrically deployed handles that pop out automatically when the car is unlocked.

Other cars in India with flush door handles include the Tata Harrier and Tata Safari, which use mechanically linked flush door handles. The Tata Curvv EV and Kia EV6 feature electrically deploying flush door handles that pop out when the car is unlocked via remote control. The Kia Syros, launched in early 2025, also comes with XUV 7XO-like flush door handles as a segment-first feature.

These flush door handles in India are designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and provide a clean, modern appearance to vehicles. However, concerns about reliability and functionality remain among consumers globally.

The Chinese ban is expected to influence global automotive design standards, particularly for electric vehicle manufacturers. Industry analysts suggest that other countries may follow with similar regulations to ensure passenger safety during emergency situations.