China bans hidden door handles in electric vehicles after fatal crashes

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• China bans hidden EV door handles after Xiaomi crash safety concerns
• New rules require visible mechanical door releases inside and outside all EVs
• Automakers must balance sleek design with manual safety features in China

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China has moved to ban hidden or flush door handles in electric vehicles, following concerns that such designs could delay rescue efforts in serious crashes.

The ruling follows two tragic accidents involving Xiaomi electric vehicles, when investigators suspected that power failures may have stopped the doors from opening. This has raised concerns about whether passengers and first responders can quickly access the car during emergencies.

Under the new guidelines, vehicles sold in China must have a mechanical door release system that works even if the car loses electricity. The inside as well as outside of the vehicle must now have an easily visible release mechanism. This means that fully hidden door handles that are dependent on power will no longer be allowed unless backed by a reliable manual substitute.

Manufacturers of electric cars have increasingly started using flush or pop out door handles to give the car a sleek, futuristic design as well as to improve the car’s aerodynamics. Brands like Tesla and several Chinese EV makers have popularised the style. However, safety experts have long warned that relying heavily on electronic systems for basic activities like opening a door can create risks during crashes, fires or battery failures.

In emergency situations, seconds matter. Electronic handles may not respond if a car’s electrical system fails. That can make it tougher for passengers to escape or for rescue teams to get inside quickly.

Chinese regulators said the new safety requirements are aimed at avoiding such scenarios. By making doors handles with mechanical release compulsory, officials seek to ensure that doors can always be opened manually, regardless of the vehicle’s power status.

China is the world’s largest market for electric vehicles, and policy changes there often influence design trends worldwide. The change is likely to push automakers to rethink certain stylistic choices in favour of clearer safety measures.

For customers, the move may mean fewer fully hidden handles and more visible or traditional designs. It serves as a warning to automakers that innovation in electric mobility must be balanced with fundamental safety principles.

As electric vehicles get more complex and software driven, regulators appear keen to make sure that essential functions, such as opening a door, never depend solely on electronics.