China has banned hidden door handles on electric vehicles (EVs), making it the first country to stop the use of the controversial designs that were made popular by multi-billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla.
The decision follows increased scrutiny of EV safety globally, particularly after deadly incidents, including two fatal crashes in China involving Xiaomi EVs where power failures were suspected to have impeded access to doors.
Under the new regulations, cars can only be sold if they have a mechanical release system both inside and outside their doors, according to state media. These regulations will take effect on January 1, 2027.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology mandates that every passenger door, except the boot, features a recessed handle access space no smaller than 6 cm by 2 cm by 2.5 cm. Inside the car, there must be signs measuring at least 1 cm by 0.7 cm to guide users on how to open the doors.
Cars already approved and nearing launch in the Chinese market will receive an extension of two years to update their designs to comply with these new regulations.
Hidden handles have been widely adopted in China's new energy vehicle market, found in approximately 60% of the top 100 best-selling NEVs. Although these rules will primarily affect models sold in China, the nation's substantial role in the global automotive industry suggests a ripple effect on international markets.
Tesla's door handles particularly have come under scrutiny, with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launching an investigation following reports of malfunctioning handles that left children trapped inside vehicles.
As the landscape of EV manufacturing evolves, the implications of this ban could reshape safety standards and design practices not only in China but worldwide.
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