CHINA TO BAN HIDDEN EV DOOR HANDLES OVER SAFETY CONCERNS – Every single car would need to have a mechanical handle both inside and outside
The Chinese government has announced a total ban on concealed door handles. From January 1st next year, every single car sold in the country must have a mechanical handle on both the inside and the outside.
It is a massive blow to a design trend that started with Tesla back in 2012. While those smooth handles make cars look more aerodynamic and help with battery range, they rely on electricity to work.
Global safety watchdogs have been sounding the alarm after several high-profile and tragic accidents, citing that if a car crashes and the power fails—perhaps due to a fire—the doors can effectively lock the passengers inside with no way for rescuers to pull them out from the outside.
China is saying every door—except the boot—must have a physical handle that works without electricity. The new law specifies a hand-operable space of at least six centimetres by two centimetres. Also, there must be clear, visible instructions inside the car showing exactly how to open the door in an emergency.
In China—the world’s biggest EV market—sixty per cent of the top-selling new energy vehicles currently use these hidden handles. Manufacturers now race against time to redesign their best-sellers. Some cars already in the final stages of launching have been given a two-year grace period.
