Recently, in a regulatory move that could reshape automobile design in one of the world’s largest car markets, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has proposed a new national standard that would prohibit hidden or flush door handles on passenger vehicles, citing safety and emergency accessibility concerns.
The draft regulation, unveiled this week, mandates that all passenger car doors, except tailgates, must be equipped with visible exterior handles featuring a minimum hand-operable space of 60mm x 20mm x 25mm and a mechanical release function. The proposed rule, currently open for public consultation, aims to ensure that vehicle doors remain operable even if the locking system or power supply fails, thereby improving emergency response and occupant safety.
If implemented, the measure would effectively ban the fully flush, electronically actuated handles popularized by Tesla and widely adopted across new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China. These sleek handles, designed to reduce air drag and enhance aesthetic appeal, retract into the car’s body and emerge electronically when activated.
According to the ministry, the proposal seeks to “enhance vehicle safety and improve passive safety technologies” to protect human life during emergencies. The move follows a series of concerns raised by engineers and safety experts over difficulties in accessing vehicles with electronic handles during accidents or fires.
An engineer from a domestic car manufacturer reportedly stated, “Hidden handles can jam in collisions or fires, complicating rescues.” This observation echoes public apprehension following incidents where rescuers struggled to open vehicle doors due to sensor failures or loss of power, such as in cases involving Xiaomi SU7 models.
Industry data suggests that around 60% of China’s top 100 NEV models, including the Nio ES8, Li Auto L8, Xiaomi YU7, and XPeng P7, currently feature such concealed handles. Manufacturers are now facing the prospect of extensive redesigns to comply with the new standard. While hidden handles reportedly extend electric vehicle range by 5–10 kilometres, their aerodynamic benefit may not outweigh safety imperatives.
Automakers have begun preparing for compliance. Toyota is said to be developing mechanical backup systems, while Geely, a participant in drafting the proposed standard, and Leapmotor have expressed readiness to adhere once the rule is finalised. The draft provides a transition period of seven months for new models and nineteen months for existing models after formal adoption.
The MIIT is presently inviting public comments before issuing the final regulation. Analysts observe that the proposal attempts to balance urgent safety requirements with the automotive industry’s innovation cycle, potentially signalling a broader regulatory trend toward prioritising function and safety over design minimalism in China’s fast-evolving NEV sector.
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