What new safety rule is China implementing regarding car door handles?

China is implementing new safety rules requiring all cars sold in the country to have mechanical releases on their door handles, effective January 1, 2027.

Why is China banning hidden electronic door handles like Tesla's?

The ban is due to concerns about fatal incidents where occupants were trapped in vehicles, making it difficult to open doors during emergencies.

When will the new safety rules for car door handles take effect in China?

The new safety rules requiring mechanical door releases will go into effect on January 1, 2027.

Home / Technology / China Bans Tesla's Signature Door Handles

China Bans Tesla's Signature Door Handles

3 Feb

•

Summary

China mandates mechanical door releases on all cars by 2027.
New rules target hidden, electronically actuated door handles.
Safety concerns cited for ban after fatal occupant entrapments.

China Bans Tesla's Signature Door Handles

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has announced new safety regulations mandating mechanical door releases for all vehicles sold in the country, effective January 1, 2027. This directive will prohibit the hidden, electronically actuated door handles, a design feature that became synonymous with Tesla and is now common on many electric vehicles in China.

The new policy requires each door, excluding the tailgate, to be equipped with an external mechanical release. Additionally, a mechanical release must be present on the interior of the vehicle. This regulatory shift stems from mounting concerns over fatal incidents where vehicle occupants have been trapped.

Investigations in September uncovered issues with Tesla's concealed handles, where power failures prevented doors from opening, leading the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to open a defect investigation. While Tesla vehicles have internal manual releases, their accessibility and user awareness have been questioned.