Khaberni - The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced that China will impose a ban on hidden car door handles in cars sold in the country, starting from January 1, 2027, in a move aimed at enhancing road safety standards.
According to the new decision, all door handles must be equipped with mechanical mechanisms for opening from both the inside and outside, representing a step back from the streamlined design made famous by cars like Tesla.
The ministry clarified that Chinese models that have received prior approval for market launch will be granted an additional two years to comply with the decision, according to AFP.
The ministry indicated that the goal of these changes is to improve safety levels in cars, especially with increasing concerns about failures of streamlined door handles during accidents, which may hinder rescue operations.
Last October, rescue teams faced difficulty in opening the doors of a "Xiaomi" electric car in the city of Chengdu, resulting in the death of the driver, according to local reports.
The decision stipulates that all doors, except for the rear trunk cover, must be equipped with a mechanical external handle for opening, with improved visibility of internal door handles through permanent graphical signage to facilitate their use in emergencies.
China is the largest market for electric cars in the world, and Chinese brand companies are witnessing dozens of expansion projects in foreign markets, making the implementation of new safety standards part of a strategy to enhance consumer confidence locally and globally.
