China bans futuristic door handles on safety grounds
The electric car world loves clever tricks. Flush door handles that slide out of the body like something from a science fiction film look perfect in press photos and at technology shows. From 2027, they will no longer be seen in China. The country confirmed an outright ban on electronic door handles, and the reason is safety, not aesthetics.
The decision affects the world’s largest electric vehicle market, and its impact will not stay local. When China bans something, the rest of the car industry pays attention.
Chinese authorities concluded that electronic door handles pose real risks in crashes and fires. If a car suffers a heavy impact or loses power, the handles can remain locked. That complicates rescue work and slows occupants trying to get out of the vehicle at the very moment when every second matters.
Under the new regulations, cars must have a mechanical backup that works independently of electronics. In practical terms, that means a return of the traditional handle, even if it is more discreetly integrated into the design.
Over the past decade, retractable and touch sensitive door handles became a calling card of electric cars. They helped improve aerodynamics and underlined a sense of futurism. Now manufacturers are being forced to admit that not every clever idea translates well into real world conditions.
Several high profile brands, including Tesla and a range of Chinese manufacturers, used electronic handles as a visual signature. The new rules require a rethink of the entire door structure, not just a small detail.
Although the ban applies only in China for now, manufacturers are likely to adopt a single global solution. Developing separate door handle systems for Europe or America makes little economic sense. As a result, China’s decision could reshape the look of electric cars well beyond its borders.
Regulators in Europe and the United States are watching closely. The safety argument proved persuasive, and the question is no longer whether similar restrictions will arrive, but when.
