China is taking a significant step forward in tightening automotive safety standards, with plans to completely ban hidden door handles by 2027.
The new regulation comes in response to a series of severe accidents where occupants and rescuers were unable to open doors due to disabled electrical systems.
According to a draft standard released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in mid-December, all passenger vehicles under 3.5 tons must be equipped with both interior and exterior mechanical door handles. The new rule mandates that these handles operate reliably in all scenarios, even during high-impact collisions or complete electrical system failure.
This decision is seen as a solution to the challenges faced by rescuers and consumers over the years. The hidden door handle design, a hallmark of modern electric vehicles like Tesla and Xiaomi, aims to optimize aerodynamics. However, these handles have exposed critical flaws. In emergencies, when power is cut, they often jam, making external access to victims nearly impossible. Even breaking the glass and locating the discreet manual override can waste precious rescue time.
Pressure on Chinese regulators intensified following tragic incidents in Chengdu and Tongling. Cases involving newer models like the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra revealed a grim reality: electric door opening systems completely fail post-collision, leaving bystanders and rescuers helpless. Additionally, user feedback highlights frequent malfunctions or freezing in cold weather, causing daily inconvenience and safety risks.
Experts argue that the trade-off between aesthetics, aerodynamic efficiency, and the hidden handles’ safety risks is unacceptable. Studies show that electric recessed handles reduce drag coefficients by only 0.005 to 0.01, saving a negligible 0.6 kWh per 100 km. Sacrificing escape capabilities for such minimal gains contradicts core automotive safety principles.
China’s stricter safety regulations are expected to influence global automotive standards. To maintain market share and streamline production, both domestic Chinese manufacturers and Western automakers will likely redesign door handles for international models. The era of sleek but risky hidden handles may soon end, prioritizing fundamental safety and practicality.
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