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China is about to ban a popular feature on new cars.
Retractable door handles on cars will be banned in China from January 2027, according to a public notice from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
Under the draft rules, cars will be required to have mechanical emergency releases for exterior and interior door handles.
Exterior door handles must be positioned within accessible areas on the door or door frame.
For interior side doors, they must have at least one mechanical interior handle, and a minimum of one interior handle must be visible to occupants.
Many manufacturers had been adopting retractable door handles on their vehicles, with it quickly becoming the latest premium gimmick.
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There are also some other more practical benefits such as aiding aerodynamics by reducing drag when the car is moving.
Despite the points in favour, there have been several safety concerns raised, including a fatal fire-related incident in China recently.
In situations where electric vehicles become submerged or catch alight, the electrics can malfunction and halt the operation of any electric door handles, leaving occupants trapped.
This latest ban will require manufacturers to rethink their approach to door handle design if they want to continue selling their cars in China.
This will likely have knock-on effects for Australia given it's an important export market for many Chinese carmakers.
Among the many carmakers utilising electric door handles are Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y, as well as plenty of Chinese competitors.
Similar concerns around electric door handle safety have also been raised in Australia.
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has adapted its safety testing protocols from 2026, placing emphasis on electric door handles.
“Increasingly popular electrically-operated door handles – which sit flush with bodywork when not in use – should remain operable after any crash,” a press release read.
ANCAP’s official 2026 changes brochure expands on this.
“We’re asking that cars with electric door handles – those powered by the cars’ 12 volt auxiliary battery – provide the ability for all side door handles to be in the extended/ready-to-open position immediately after a crash,” it reads.
“They’ll also need to remain operable from the inside, or provide a manual override, so that occupants can exit, or first-responders can gain access inside the vehicle after a crash.”
