Beginning January 1, 2027, all new vehicles under 3.5 tons sold in China must be equipped with conventional interior and exterior door handles that include a manual emergency release mechanism. This provision, proposed by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, will significantly impact electric vehicle manufacturers that use automatic retractable door handles—a design popularized by Tesla.
The measure aims to prioritize occupant safety. Investigations have highlighted risks associated with purely electronic door handles in the event of accidents or electrical failures. A recent analysis linked several fatal incidents to the inability to open the doors of certain vehicles following a collision. Although many models incorporate backup mechanical release mechanisms, there are reports that these can be difficult to locate or operate under stress during an emergency.
This regulation will affect the entire electric vehicle industry in the Chinese market, including local manufacturers like BYD. However, it poses a particular challenge for Tesla, as its current models rely exclusively on retractable door handles. The company would need to adapt its door design to comply with the new standard and maintain its commercial presence in the country.
In parallel, regulatory authorities in the United States are reviewing the safety of electronic, flush-mounted door handles following consumer complaints about being unable to open their vehicles due to battery power loss. In some reports, rescue teams were forced to break windows to access the interiors of cars, which has intensified scrutiny of these types of systems..