China is set to become the first country to ban “hidden” door handles on vehicles. The regulation is set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. New vehicle models must comply by that date, while approved models will have until Jan. 1, 2029.
The ban stems from concerns about safety over door handles that sit flush with the vehicle’s exterior and must be released via key fob, mobile phone or by pressing down on them. Regulators in China and the U.S. have expressed concerns over these handles becoming inoperable in the event of an accident. In October, Chinese media reported that a driver of a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra sedan was killed in an accident when bystanders were unable to open the doors to pull him from the burning vehicle.
