China is leading the fight against hidden car door handles

In a significant move towards enhancing vehicle safety, China has introduced new regulations that will ban hidden, electronically actuated door handles commonly found in electric vehicles, including those made by Tesla. As outlined by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, starting January 1, 2027, all cars sold in China must feature mechanical releases on their door handles. This regulation mandates that each door, with the exception of the tailgate, is equipped with an externally accessible mechanical handle. Additionally, vehicles will be required to have a mechanical release option available from the inside. The decision follows a series of alarming incidents where occupants became trapped inside vehicles due to failures of electronic door locks, particularly in Tesla models. An investigation by Bloomberg last year revealed that in some cases, the electronic door handles malfunctioned because the vehicle's battery system did not provide sufficient power. In response to these safety concerns, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into certain Tesla models, focusing on their door handle mechanisms. While these vehicles do include manual releases, federal investigators highlighted that they can be difficult for children to access, and many owners are not even aware of their presence. In light of recent fatal accidents, including a serious crash involving a Xiaomi electric sedan, Chinese regulators had previously signaled the need for new standards regarding electric vehicle door handles. The initiative began in May 2025, with participation from over 40 domestic manufacturers and parts suppliers, as well as international automotive giants like General Motors and Toyota. More than 100 industry experts collaborated to establish a comprehensive framework for the new Safety Technical Requirements for Automobile Door Handles, with Tesla notably absent from the list of official contributors. This groundbreaking regulation marks China as the first country to implement such a ban, reflecting a proactive approach to vehicle safety that could influence regulations worldwide.