China Bans Concealed EV Door Handles in Global First, Bloomberg Reports

China has become the first country to ban concealed door handles on electric vehicles, according to Bloomberg, implementing sweeping safety regulations that could influence automotive design worldwide.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced Monday that all cars sold in China must feature mechanical release mechanisms both inside and outside, Bloomberg reported. The ruling takes effect January 1, 2027, with models already in final approval stages given until January 2029 to comply.

The ban targets the sleek, flush door handle design popularized by Tesla Inc., which has faced increasing regulatory scrutiny globally following several fatal incidents. According to Bloomberg, the crackdown follows two high-profile crashes involving Xiaomi Corp. electric vehicles in China, where power failures were suspected to have prevented doors from opening, trapping occupants inside burning vehicles.

"China is shifting from being just the largest EV market to being a rule-setter for how new vehicle technologies are regulated," Bill Russo, founder of Shanghai-based consultancy Automobility, told Bloomberg. "By moving first, Beijing can use its huge domestic market to lock in safety standards that both Chinese and foreign automakers must follow at home – and that may ultimately travel with Chinese EV exports and influence global norms."

Bloomberg reports that approximately 60% of the top 100 selling new-energy vehicles in April featured concealed handles, according to China Daily. The redesign will particularly impact luxury models, including Tesla's Model Y and Model 3, BMW's iX3, and vehicles from Chinese manufacturers Nio, Li Auto, and Xpeng.

The new regulations are highly specific, Bloomberg noted. Exterior doors must have a recessed space measuring at least 6 centimeters by 2 centimeters for hand grip, while interiors require signage no smaller than 1 centimeter by 0.7 centimeters indicating emergency release procedures.

One source familiar with the design process at a Chinese EV manufacturer told Bloomberg the changes could cost more than 100 million yuan ($14.4 million) per model.

Tesla has indicated it will make necessary changes for the Chinese market, Bloomberg reported. The company faces a separate safety probe regarding door handles in the United States, where similar concerns have emerged.

Chinese automakers have already begun adapting to the forthcoming rules, with Geely Automobile Holdings' Galaxy M9 and BYD's Seal 06 reverting to traditional exposed handles, according to Bloomberg.

The move signals China's growing influence in setting global automotive safety standards, particularly as the nation dominates EV manufacturing and advanced driving technology development, Bloomberg noted.