China banning hidden car door handles starting in 2027 due to safety concerns

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced on February 4, 2026, that it will ban hidden door handles on cars starting January 1, 2027, due to safety concerns. This regulation targets electric vehicles (EVs) from Tesla and other manufacturers, requiring all car doors to include a mechanical release function. The policy follows fatal accidents where electronic doors failed, trapping passengers inside. Existing approved car models will have until January 1, 2029, to comply with the new design requirements. The ban affects popular models like Tesla's Model Y and Model 3, BMW's iX3, and various Chinese-branded vehicles equipped with retractable door handles. Chris Liu, a senior analyst at Omdia, noted that China is the first major market to formalize this safety standard, potentially influencing global regulations. Carmakers may face costly redesigns or retrofits, particularly for premium EVs where retractable handles are seen as a design and aerodynamic feature. The draft rules were published in September 2025 for public comment, and the U.S. has also investigated Tesla's door handle failures, highlighting broader safety concerns.