The Chinese government has introduced tough safety rules that effectively ban the use of "flush door handles" on electric vehicles, the first move of its kind in the world. The measure follows a judgment that the flush handles, popularized by Tesla, hinder lifesaving efforts in emergencies such as fires.
According to Bloomberg and China Business News on the 3rd, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced new safety rules the previous day requiring internal and external mechanical door-opening devices (levers) to be installed on all newly sold vehicles. The rules take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. For models that have already received regulatory approval or are in the final stages before launch, designs can be modified by Jan. 1, 2029.
Under the new rules, exterior door handles must provide sufficient hand operating space in all conditions. There must be a recessed space at least 6 cm wide, 2 cm high, and 2.5 cm deep, or a protruding handle of the same dimensions. Inside, door handles must be intuitive for passengers to identify, and a standardized sign explaining how to open the door in an emergency is mandatory.
The move was triggered by recent fatal accidents in China. In particular, in March and Oct. last year, fires broke out in the SU7 electric sedan by Xiaomi, but the power was cut and the doors would not open, and the occupants died without being able to escape, worsening public opinion about EV safety. According to reports, about 60% of the top 100 new energy vehicle models sold in China currently have flush handles. As a result, major automakers such as Tesla (Model Y, Model 3), BMW (iX3), Nio (ES8), Li Auto (i8), and Xpeng (P7) are expected to face unavoidable large-scale design changes.
Experts say the rules will affect the global auto industry as a whole. Bill Russo, head of the Shanghai-based consulting firm Automobility, told Bloomberg that "China is moving beyond merely being the largest market to a stage where it sets technology regulatory standards," and noted that "armed with its enormous domestic market, the finalized benchmarks are likely to spread as global standards through export vehicles."
Manufacturers are also moving quickly. Geely Automobile Holdings' Galaxy M9 and BYD's Seal 06 are already reverting to conventional protruding handles. Tesla, which led the flush handle trend, is also expected to change its handle design. A Tesla representative told Bloomberg that the company "will make the changes needed for the Chinese market," and said it is reviewing programming that automatically unlocks when battery voltage drops.
Meanwhile, in addition to door-handle rules, Chinese authorities plan to tighten oversight of EV acceleration limits and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).