Body flush handles, or retractable handles, have become a prominent trend in automotive design in recent years. Stylists love them because they do not disturb the visual purity of the car’s side lines, while aerodynamicists appreciate them because they make the vehicle easier to break through the air.
When Tesla designed its Model S, the goal was to create a car that was both desirable and maximally efficient, so such door handles were a logical choice. With the growing popularity of electric vehicles, the application of this design solution has also expanded. But China decided to put an end to it.
Just as it was the case with folding headlights, despite the aesthetic and aerodynamic advantages, there are also significant safety disadvantages. Tesla’s door handles are an extreme example – in the event of a crash and loss of 12V power, emergency services are unable to open the door from the outside, resulting in at least 15 deaths, according to some reports.
These tragic events prompted the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to launch an investigation, but China decided to act more proactively. According to Bloomberg, Chinese regulatory authorities have been analyzing the safety of retractable doorknobs since mid-2024 and have concluded that they pose an unacceptable risk.
What will the new rules look like?
The new Chinese regulations are extremely specific. For all new models introduced after the first of January 2027, it is mandatory to have a recessed space at least 6 cm wide, 2 cm high and 25 mm deep, which allows manual activation of the handle. These can be semi-recessed doorknobs or simply traditional doorknobs that we are all used to.
The locking mechanism must be designed so that, in the event of a crash that deploys the airbags or causes a battery fire, the door on the non-impacted side of the vehicle can be opened without the use of tools. Chinese regulators are equally concerned that passengers in the vehicle do not get confused about how to open the doors from the inside in emergency situations.
That is why every door must have mechanical openers in places where passengers expect them. Tesla is probably the biggest offender here as well, because although the front doors always had mechanical handles, on some older models the rear doors could not be opened without tools.
For cars that have already received approval from the Chinese authorities, which includes all models currently on sale, there is a transition period. Manufacturers have until January 1, 2029 to redesign the doors of their existing models. Due to the specificity of the rules, this provision does not only apply to Tesla.
Xiaomi, one of China’s most popular electric vehicle brands, will have to redesign some models, but the same goes for BMW. For example, the BMW iX3, which will soon arrive on the Chinese market, will also require changes. The same applies to cars from manufacturers such as Nio, Li Auto and Xpeng. It is likely that, unless there are exceptions for low-production models, most supercars, such as those from Ferrari and McLaren, will also need new doors for the important Chinese market.
Given China’s importance to the global automotive industry, the impact of this ban is expected to be felt on all models sold worldwide.