China has announced a ban on hidden car door handles for vehicles sold within the country, effective from next year. This decision aims to phase out the minimalist design popularized by Tesla due to safety concerns. The new regulations, revealed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Monday, February 2, stipulate that from January 1, 2027, car door handles must have both interior and exterior mechanical releases. Chinese car models that have already been approved for launch will be given an additional two years to comply with these new standards.

The Ministry stated that these regulations are intended to “improve the level of automotive safety design.” Recent incidents have heightened safety concerns in China regarding sleek and aerodynamic car doors, which, although they reduce drag, may become inoperable in the event of a crash. One significant incident occurred in October when rescuers were unable to open the doors of a burning Xiaomi electric vehicle in Chengdu, leading to the driver’s tragic death. The driver was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. According to the new rules, all doors, except the tailgate, must be equipped with a mechanical release exterior door handle.

Additionally, the regulations will enhance the visibility of interior handles by mandating permanent graphic markings. China, being the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market, hosts numerous brands with expanding international operations. Recent statistics indicate that Chinese company BYD surpassed Tesla in EV sales last year, marking the first time a Chinese firm has led the annual category, overtaking the US industry pioneer.

Electronic or “flush” door handles, which blend into the car’s body, were introduced to the EV industry with Tesla’s 2012 launch of the Model S. These handles offer a slight increase in efficiency by reducing drag while the vehicle is in motion.