A regulatory wake-up call?
China bans hidden car door handles
Electrically deploying handles rely on power supply, control software and stable communication within the vehicle architecture. In the event of a severe collision, the absence of a purely mechanical fallback can pose risks.
OpenAI
China is drawing a line: for safety reasons, the country will ban hidden and deployable door handles from 2027. Vehicle doors must be mechanically operable from both inside and outside. Manufacturers will be required to retrofit affected models by 2029.
Safety concerns and usability issues are driving the policy
shift around modern door handle systems. According to a statement from China’s
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, new regulations will prohibit
door handles that retract into the bodywork and extend or unfold automatically
when activated.
The technology became widely known through models from US
manufacturer Tesla and has since been adopted by numerous electric vehicle brands. The new regulation, which
comes into force on 1 January 2027, applies to all vehicles
sold in China from that date onwards. Models that have already received
regulatory approval but are close to market launch must be retrofitted by 2029.
The boot lid is not affected.
Why China is banning hidden handles
As the world’s largest automotive market, China’s decision could – as so often – influence global
design trends. Under the revised standard, vehicle doors must be
mechanically operable from both inside and outside, the ministry stated. The
aim is to address problems associated with complicated operation and potential
failure in accident scenarios, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Following several accidents, concerns were raised that
electrically deployable handles may have failed, making it difficult for rescue
teams to open doors and extract occupants. The authorities have been reviewing
the door handle standard for some time. According to China Daily, as of
April 2025, 60 per cent of the 100 best-selling electric and hybrid vehicles in
China were equipped with hidden door handles.
Manufacturers will now need to redesign affected door handle
systems. Retrofit costs are expected to remain manageable, partly because
established suppliers for conventional mechanical handles remain available.
However, certain new design concepts currently under development may no longer
be permitted under the revised regulation.
Why door handles have become an SDV issue
At first glance, China’s decision may appear to concern
little more than styling or ergonomics. Yet the move touches on a far deeper
issue within the digital transformation of the automotive industry. In software-defined vehicles, even the door handle has
become part of the vehicle’s electronic architecture.
Modern flush or deployable handles are no longer purely
mechanical components. They integrate sensors, actuators, LED elements and
authentication systems into the vehicle’s zonal E/E
architecture. In many cases, they interact with ultra-wideband
(UWB)-based digital keys, encrypted communication protocols and over-the-air
configurable software logic. What was once a simple mechanical latch is now
part of a networked access and security system.
This integration, however, introduces new safety
considerations. Electrically deploying handles rely on power supply, control
software and stable communication within the vehicle architecture. In the event
of a severe collision, where power distribution may be compromised or software
systems disrupted, the absence of a purely mechanical fallback can pose risks.
As a result, the door handle now sits at the intersection
of:
- functional safety (ISO 26262),
- cybersecurity and secure access management,
- human–machine interface design,
- and regulatory compliance.
China’s regulatory intervention therefore raises a broader
architectural question for SDVs: how far can mechanical redundancy be replaced
by software-driven functionality? And where must fail-safe physical mechanisms
remain mandatory?
Key facts: China bans hidden car door handles
What has China banned?
China will ban hidden, retractable and automatically deployable car door
handles from 1 January 2027.
Why is China banning hidden door handles?
The ban addresses safety concerns after accidents, including cases where
electronically deployable handles allegedly failed, making rescue operations
more difficult.
When does the regulation take effect?
The new standard applies to all vehicles sold in China from 1 January 2027.
Existing approved models must be retrofitted by 2029.
What are the new technical requirements?
Vehicle doors must be mechanically operable from both inside and outside –
including after collisions.
Which vehicles are affected?
All new vehicles sold in China from 2027 onwards. As of April 2025, 60% of the
100 best-selling EVs and hybrids in China used hidden door handles.
Is the boot affected?
No. The regulation applies only to passenger doors.
Which authority introduced the rule?
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
What does this mean for manufacturers?
OEMs must redesign affected door systems. Retrofit costs are expected to be
manageable, but certain advanced handle concepts may no longer be permitted.
Why is this relevant for SDVs?
Modern door handles are integrated into zonal E/E
architectures, digital key systems, cybersecurity frameworks and OTA
software logic. The ban highlights the importance of mechanical fallback in SDV
safety architecture.
Could this influence global markets?
Yes. As the world’s largest automotive market, China’s
regulatory decisions often shape international design and compliance standards.
The issue becomes even more relevant in the context of higher levels of automation. In autonomous vehicles and robotaxi concepts, doors may open automatically or be unlocked via cloud-based commands. In such scenarios, a failure is no longer a purely mechanical issue but an architectural one spanning software, connectivity and system design.
Viewed in this light, China’s ban is more than a design correction. It is a regulatory signal to the global automotive industry: even in the era of software-defined vehicles, mechanical fallback solutions remain a critical pillar of vehicle safety architecture.
