China just made a move that hits one of the most recognizable design features in modern EVs. New safety rules will require every vehicle sold in the country to have mechanically operable door handles inside and out that work even when the power fails. That effectively bans the flush, motorized handles made famous by Tesla and copied by other EV makers.
The regulation, issued by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, takes effect January 1, 2027. Models already approved and close to launch get a grace period until 2029 to redesign.
Why This Is Happening Now
The rule follows several high profile EV crashes in China where power failures were suspected to have prevented doors from opening. That raised concerns that electronically actuated handles could slow escape or rescue during emergencies.
Tesla’s door designs have also faced scrutiny in the United States after crashes where passengers reportedly struggled to exit when vehicles lost power. Other EV makers using similar flush handle systems include Xiaomi, Lucid Motors, and Rivian.
Design Shake Up for the EV Industry
China’s rules get very specific. Exterior doors must include a recessed area large enough for a hand to grip a physical handle. Inside, cars must clearly label how to open the door using mechanical means. Backup electronic releases alone will not be enough.
That is a big shift for an industry that leaned into hidden handles as a symbol of futuristic EV design. Around 60 percent of the top selling new energy vehicles in China recently used concealed handles, meaning redesigns could be widespread and costly, especially for premium models where sleek styling is part of the appeal.
Why This Matters Beyond China
China is not just the largest EV market. It is increasingly becoming a global rule setter. Safety standards adopted there often ripple outward because automakers prefer not to build totally different versions of the same car for different regions.
So while this rule only applies to cars sold in China, it could influence how future EVs are designed worldwide. What started as a design flex may end up being remembered as a short lived era of door handles that looked cool but did not pass the ultimate safety test.