The draft wants all external handles to feature a mechanical release and remain functional after an accident
China is preparing to reshape how carmakers design something as simple yet crucial as a door handle. A new draft regulation from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is now open for public feedback, laying the groundwork for sweeping changes that could affect not just local models, but vehicles sold worldwide.
If the draft becomes law, it could force a sharp turn away from the fully concealed, electrically operated handles that have become a hallmark of modern EVs. Automakers in China and beyond may need to rethink their designs to stay compliant, with knock-on effects across global markets, since door handles are a universal feature fitted to the same models sold both in China and elsewhere around the world.
More: Electric Door Handles Face Global Scrutiny After Deadly EV Crashes
The draft is titled “Technical Requirements for Safety of Automobile Door Handles” and the deadline for public comments is November 22, 2025. The feedback will be used to refine and finalize the new national standard.
As reported by Car News China, the most important requirements include:
According to Rong Hui, Deputy Director of the China Automotive Standardization Research Institute, the proposal rests on extensive research. Speaking to Weixin, he explained that the team examined more than 230 vehicles and carried out accident tests on 20 models, while also consulting specialists from over 100 domestic and international organizations. The ultimate goal is to ensure door handles remain functional during power loss and to create consistent standards for their placement inside and outside the vehicle.
The goal of regulators is to ensure that door handles will remain functional in the event of a power loss, and standardise their placement both inside and outside.
Global Debate Over Pop-Out Handles
The draft rules come in the wake of mounting global criticism of flush or pop-out door handles. In the United States, the NHTSA is investigating their safety after several high-profile accidents.
More: Crash Victim Trapped In Burning Tesla Sues Over Door Handles
Tesla, one of the earliest adopters of flush door handles in production cars, is now revising its approach after repeated incidents of passenger entrapment, some involving children. In Tesla’s case, the proposed update does not appear to abandon the flush exterior look but reworks the mechanism behind it. The redesigned handles aim to be more intuitive in emergencies by combining the electronic and mechanical release systems into a single function.
Similar cases of entrapment have been reported in vehicles from other manufacturers, where occupants were unable to exit after an unexpected loss of power. Some incidents have ended in fatalities when passengers and drivers could not escape burning EVs following a crash. Just as critically, non-functioning door handles hinder first responders, who often need specialized equipment to reach the cabin.
Adding to the debate, Volkswagen’s CEO Thomas Schafer recently criticized flush door handles calling them “terrible to operate“. He confirmed that upcoming models from the brand will feature traditional designs, a shift driven largely by customer feedback.
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Thanos Pappas, a product design engineer by trade, has been wading through automotive journalism for… Read full bio

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