China bans flush door handles from 2027

China has moved to ban hidden or flush door handles from all new locally manufactured vehicles, with the ruling taking effect from January 1, 2027.

The announcement was made last week by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, citing safety concerns around victims being trapped inside vehicles following collisions.

Manufacturers with vehicles already approved for production will have until January 2029 to make the necessary changes to comply with the new regulations.

Flush door handles first entered the automotive mainstream with Tesla’s early Model S and Model X vehicles. While they offer benefits in terms of design and aerodynamics, safety concerns around their use on electric vehicles have led to this comprehensive ban.

The new Chinese regulations specify that door handles must have a recess of at least 60mm by 20mm behind the handle. Vehicles must also feature clear interior signage showing exactly how to operate the handle.

Chris Liu of Omdia told AP that other countries may follow China’s lead on the safety measure.

“China is the first major automotive market to explicitly ban electrical pop-out and press-to-release hidden door handles,” Liu said. “While other regions have flagged safety concerns, China is the first to formalise this into a national safety standard.”

The ruling could have significant implications for the Australian market, given the growing number of Chinese-manufactured vehicles being imported. Major brands including BYD, GWM, and MG – all of which have gained substantial market share in Australia – will need to ensure their China-produced models comply with the new requirements.

The ban may also influence global automotive design trends, particularly as manufacturers seek to standardise production across different markets rather than create region-specific variants.

Australian safety regulators have not indicated whether similar measures are being considered locally, though the Chinese decision may prompt review of existing standards for door handle design and operation.