China mandates manual door handles from 2027 to ensure safe emergency exits and rescue in new EVs
CHINA will ban electric retractable door handles from 2027. This comes after several deadly accidents where people could not get out of their cars after crashes. The ban mainly affects modern electric cars that use flat, hidden door handles.
Under the new rule, all passenger cars under 3.5 tonnes must have door handles that work by hand, both inside and outside. This means doors must open even if the car loses power or is badly damaged. The goal is to help passengers escape and allow rescue teams to open doors quickly.
The plan was first shared in December by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Emergency workers have complained that many new cars are hard to open after accidents, especially electric vehicles that depend on electronics.
Many popular cars in China use these electric handles, including the Tesla Model S, Model 3, Model Y and the BYD Seal. Carmakers say these handles help improve airflow and driving range, but the benefit is very small.
Problems with these handles have increased since 2024. Some stop working after crashes, while others fail in cold weather when they freeze and cannot pop out.
Safety concerns grew after serious crashes in Chengdu and Tongling, where people died because doors could not be opened in time. Reports said the cars involved relied on electric buttons, which stopped working once power was cut. Even though a backup handle was fitted, it was hard to find.
Because of these accidents, China has decided that safety is more important than looks. From 2027, cars must use simple and reliable door handles so people can get out quickly in an emergency.
