Key Provisions of the New Rules
Future Changes in Car Design
China is preparing to radically change automakers’ approach to door handle design. A new draft regulation from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is now open for public discussion, laying the groundwork for large-scale changes that could affect not only local models but also cars worldwide.
If the draft becomes law, it could lead to the abandonment of fully hidden electric handles, which have become a hallmark of modern electric vehicles. Automakers in China and beyond will have to rethink their design decisions to comply with the new requirements, which will have implications for global markets, as door handles are a universal element for the same models sold in China and other countries.
Technical Requirements and Deadlines
The draft is titled “Technical Requirements for the Safety of Automobile Door Handles,” and the deadline for public discussion is November 22, 2025. The feedback received will be used to refine and finalize the new national standard.
The most important requirements include:
- Each door (except for the trunk lid) must have an external handle with a mechanical opening function
- In the event of accidents with battery thermal events, doors on the non-impacted side must be openable by external handles without tools
- External door handles must provide sufficient space for a hand of at least 60×20×25 mm, regardless of the handle’s position
- Each door must have internal handles with a mechanical opening function
- If electric internal handles are installed, backup mechanical handles must also be provided
- Internal handles must be easily identifiable, clearly visible, and located within 300 mm from the door edges
Scientific Basis for the New Requirements
According to Rong Hui, deputy director of the China Automotive Industry Standardization Institute, the proposal is based on significant research. He explained that the team studied over 230 vehicles and conducted crash tests on 20 models, as well as consulted with experts from over 100 domestic and international organizations. The ultimate goal is to ensure the functionality of door handles during power loss and create consistent standards for their placement inside and outside the vehicle.
The regulators’ aim is to ensure the functionality of door handles in case of power loss and to standardize their placement both inside and outside the vehicle.
Global Debate on Hidden Handles
The draft rules emerge against a backdrop of growing global criticism of hidden or retractable door handles. In the United States, the NHTSA is investigating their safety following several high-profile accidents.
Tesla, one of the early proponents of hidden door handles in mass-produced cars, is now revising its approach after repeated incidents of passengers being trapped, some involving children. In Tesla’s case, the proposed update does not abandon the hidden external appearance but redesigns the mechanism. The redesigned handles are intended to be more intuitive in emergencies by combining electronic and mechanical opening systems into a single function.
Similar trapping incidents have been reported in vehicles from other manufacturers, where passengers were unable to exit after an unexpected power loss. Some incidents resulted in fatalities when passengers and drivers could not escape from burning electric vehicles after a crash. Equally important, malfunctioning door handles complicate the work of rescuers, who often need specialized equipment to access the cabin.
Adding to the debate, Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer recently criticized hidden door handles, calling them “terrible to operate.” He confirmed that future models from the brand will have a traditional design, a change largely driven by customer feedback.
The initiative by Chinese regulators reflects a broader trend in the automotive industry, where safety is beginning to be prioritized over purely aesthetic solutions. The shift towards more functional door handles could signify a return to classic automotive principles, where reliability and accessibility in emergencies take precedence. These changes also highlight the growing influence of the Chinese market on global automotive industry standards, especially in the context of electric vehicles, where China continues to maintain a leadership position.