China announce that they are to ban hidden door handles on EVs

Consumer Editor

3 minute read|4th Feb 2026

One of the world’s largest manufactures of electric vehicles (EVs) is set to ban the production of hidden door handles in new models due to safety concerns.

Commonly seen in many EVs available across the world, all new models will now have mechanical interior and exterior door handles.

Car boots can still have hidden handle releases.

The ban will start in 2027 and marks the first country to make such an announcement.

In recent months, there have been several examples from around the world of EV accidents where electronic hidden door handles have reportedly failed to open.

This has then led to drivers and passengers being trapped inside – and in some cases dying in the vehicle.

Hidden door handle technology is seen in many EVs on UK roads, where the doors can be opened with a key fob, mobile phone app, ⁠or by manually pressing them to release the mechanism.

Popular with Tesla models, it has been adopted by many Chinese manufacturers in recent years.

As part of the Chinese Government’s new strategy, they have set strict rules for where door handles are located ‍in the vehicles, as well as how they should work – regardless of the type of vehicle.

This is so that it can always be opened in an emergency.

Tesla or any of the leading Chinese EV companies have yet to release a statement on the changes.

The Chinese Industry Ministry revealed that new vehicle models must align their door handle design with the new regulation from the start of 2027, however, approved models will come under the rules by 2029.