China Enforces 2027 Ban on Concealed EV Door Handles, Prompting Global Redesigns
Updated (2 articles)
Ban Effective January 1 2027 Requires Manual Door Release China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will prohibit hidden, electronic door handles on all passenger doors of electric vehicles starting 1 January 2027, mandating a manual release mechanism and exempting only tailgates [1][2]. The rule specifies a recessed opening of at least 6 cm × 2 cm × 2.5 cm on the exterior and interior signage of at least 1 cm × 0.7 cm to show how to open the door [2]. Manufacturers must redesign new models to meet these dimensions before they can be sold in the Chinese market [1].
Two‑Year Transition Allows Existing Models Until 2029 Vehicles already approved for Chinese sale may continue production for two years, with a final redesign deadline of 1 January 2029 [1][2]. Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3, BMW’s iX3, and numerous domestic EVs that use retractable handles fall under the upcoming requirement [1]. Companies can keep current designs on the market until the grace period ends, after which all units must incorporate the manual release [2].
Safety Incidents Prompt Regulatory Action in China and U.S. The ban follows fatal accidents in which electronic doors failed to open, trapping occupants and causing deaths [1]. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a probe into Tesla door‑handle failures after nine complaints, four of which forced owners to break windows [2]. China’s draft rule was released for public comment last year, mirroring the safety concerns driving the U.S. investigation [1].
Global Industry Faces Costly Redesigns and Potential Ripple Effects Analyst Chris Liu of Omdia warns that the regulation will force costly redesigns worldwide, as China is the first major market to formalize such a ban [1]. Approximately 60 % of the top 100 best‑selling new‑energy vehicles in China use concealed handles, highlighting the scale of the impact [2]. European regulators are watching the Chinese move and may adopt similar standards, creating a possible cascade of design changes across markets [2].
Sources
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1.
AP: China to Ban Hidden Car Door Handles from 2027 – Details the ban’s start date, safety motivations, affected models, two‑year redesign window, and predicts global redesign costs while noting the parallel U.S. NHTSA investigation .
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2.
BBC: China to Ban Hidden Door Handles on EVs from 2027 – Emphasizes technical specifications for recessed spaces and signage, cites that 60 % of top‑selling NEVs use hidden handles, and discusses international safety probes and potential worldwide regulatory ripple effects .
Timeline
Sep 2025 – China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology publishes draft rules that would ban hidden, electronic door handles on electric vehicles and opens the proposals for public comment, marking the first formal move toward a nationwide safety standard[2].
2025 – The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opens an investigation into Tesla door‑handle failures after nine complaints, four of which force owners to break windows to escape, underscoring global safety concerns about concealed handles[1].
2025 – Fatal EV accidents in China, in which electronic doors fail to open and trap occupants, prompt officials to cite “incidents in which electronic doors did not operate, trapping occupants and leading to deaths” as a key driver for the forthcoming ban[2].
Feb 3 2026 – China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology officially announces a ban on hidden door handles, effective Jan 1 2027, requiring a mechanical release on every passenger door while exempting tailgates[1][2].
Feb 3 2026 – The regulation sets a minimum recessed area of 6 cm × 2 cm × 2.5 cm on the exterior of each door and mandates interior signage of at least 1 cm × 0.7 cm to show how to open the door, establishing clear design criteria for manufacturers[1].
Feb 3 2026 – Vehicles already approved for the Chinese market receive a two‑year grace period, allowing sales to continue but obligating redesigns by Jan 1 2029 to meet the new standards[2].
2026 – Data show that roughly 60 % of the top 100 best‑selling new‑energy vehicles in China use concealed handles, illustrating the ban’s potential impact on a large segment of the market[1].
2026 – Analyst Chris Liu of Omdia warns that “China is the first major market to formalize the ban,” predicting costly global redesigns and suggesting that other regions may follow the Chinese lead[2].
Jan 1 2027 – The ban takes effect; all EVs sold in China must feature a manual release mechanism on each passenger door, making China the first nation to enforce such a rule worldwide[1][2].
Jan 1 2029 – The deadline arrives for already‑approved models to comply with the new door‑handle requirements, forcing manufacturers to complete redesigns or risk losing market access in China[2].