China bans retractable car door handles after deadly crash concerns

China plans to ban electrically powered retractable car door handles starting January 1, 2027, following fatal crashes linked to these designs. The new safety regulation, proposed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, mandates that all passenger vehicles under 3.5 tons must have mechanical interior and exterior door handles with emergency release functions that operate even if the vehicle loses power or suffers severe crash damage. This move responds to incidents where rescuers struggled to access trapped occupants due to power failures disabling electronic handles, notably after fatal crashes involving the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra and other vehicles. The ban challenges popular flush door handle designs favored for aerodynamic and aesthetic reasons, which critics argue offer minimal efficiency gains but pose significant safety risks. Consumer complaints about retractable handles, including failures in cold weather and injuries, have surged in 2024. Industry leaders, such as Great Wall Motors’ chairman Wei Jianjun, have voiced concerns that concealed handles neglect user safety without meaningful benefits. The regulation could influence global EV design,