BUSINESS

China Bans Hidden Vehicle Door Handles in New Safety Standard

Published: Feb. 5, 2026 1:09 p.m. GMT+8

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A passenger opens the door of a car equipped with hidden door handles. Photo: VCG

China has issued a mandatory national standard to ban automakers from using hidden, power-operated door handles, in a response to safety concerns that the design hinders rescue efforts in car accidents.

The flush handle design, a signature element of Tesla Inc.’s vehicles and widely emulated by Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to reduce wind resistance and signal high-tech status, has faced growing safety backlash after multiple car accidents where rescuers were unable to open the hidden door handles.

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China will ban fully hidden, power-operated car door handles from January 1, 2027, due to rescue and safety concerns.
The new standard requires door handles to allow manual operation at all times and mandates mechanical backup for electric systems.
Semi-hidden handles are permitted if they meet safety criteria, striking a balance between innovation and emergency accessibility.

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Who’s Who

Tesla Inc.: Tesla Inc. popularized the flush handle design, which has been widely copied by Chinese EV manufacturers. However, these power-operated hidden handles are now banned in China by a new national standard taking effect in 2027 due to safety concerns. In accidents, rescuers have struggled to open doors with these handles, especially during power failures.

SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd.: SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd. (600104.SH) is a Chinese automaker whose chief designer, Shao Jingfeng, noted the widespread adoption of flush door handles by domestic manufacturers. He described this trend as performative, adding complexity and confusion without significant aerodynamic gains, particularly as it extended to lower-to-mid-range models following Tesla's popularization of the design.

Li Auto Inc.: Li Auto Inc. (理想汽车) was mentioned in the context of the new Chinese national standard regarding vehicle door handles. Zhou Jie, a senior director of door development at Li Auto, commented that the standard successfully balances safety concerns with innovation by permitting electric and button-based systems alongside mandatory mechanical functions for door handles.

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What Happened When

2026：: Multiple car accidents occurred where rescuers were unable to open hidden door handles, leading to increased safety backlash against the design.

2026：: Domestic Chinese automakers quickly adopted the flush handle design, applying it to low-to-mid-range models.

2026：: Rong Hui, vice president of the China Automotive Standardization Research Institute, told media that the new standard addresses power-failure lockouts and operational difficulties.

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