Chinese language regulatory authorities are reportedly planning a complete ban on absolutely retractable (hidden) automobile door handles throughout the automotive trade, citing security hazards and practical deficiencies. The transfer, if applied, would mark a shift in automotive design, notably for brand new vitality automobiles (NEVs) which have extensively adopted the characteristic.
In accordance with an R&D skilled from a automobile producer who spoke to Mingjing Professional (明镜Pro) on September 4, discussions are underway concerning new rules that may explicitly prohibit absolutely retractable door handles. Semi-retractable and conventional door handles would nonetheless be permitted, however critically, they need to incorporate mechanical redundancy to make sure dependable operation.
Sources point out {that a} draft for necessary door deal with requirements is predicted to be finalised this month. The present proposal suggests a direct ban on absolutely retractable handles, with a one-year transition interval. Enforcement is anticipated to start in July 2027, which means new automobiles offered in China after this date would not characteristic these designs. Discussions additionally embrace computerized unlocking mechanisms for non-standard circumstances, reminiscent of accident situations.
The information has despatched ripples via the trade. “We’ve already notified varied tasks to implement this,” the supply acknowledged, acknowledging that whereas nonetheless within the dialogue part, the potential impression is immense. This regulatory motion underscores rising issues about hidden door handles, which have confronted widespread public criticism for performance falling far wanting expectations.
The rise and fall of a design development
Absolutely retractable door handles have develop into a prevalent design aspect in trendy NEVs, typically categorised into “lever-type” (bodily mechanism) and “electronically managed pop-out kind” (motorised). Whereas lauded for his or her futuristic aesthetic and perceived aerodynamic advantages, their sensible utility and security have been more and more questioned.
Engineers’ calculations counsel {that a} 0.01 Cd discount in drag coefficient, typically attributed to hidden handles, interprets to a minimal saving of roughly 0.6 kWh per 100 km. For residence charging, the fee financial savings are negligible. Moreover, SAE papers point out that hidden door handles enhance a sedan’s drag coefficient by solely 0.005-0.01 Cd, considerably lower than the 0.03 Cd typically claimed by producers. The added weight of 7-8 kilograms from the motors and mechanical constructions may even negate any aerodynamic positive aspects.
Past the doubtful effectivity claims, hidden door handles current substantial drawbacks:
- Price and reliability: Digital door handles are reportedly 3 times dearer than mechanical ones, but undergo from an eight-fold larger failure fee. This contributes to elevated restore prices for NEVs, with one main new vitality model reporting that door deal with failures account for 12% of all car restore circumstances, typically requiring expensive full meeting replacements.
- Crucial security failures: In accidents involving energy loss or hearth, electrical door handles (each exterior and inside) can develop into inoperable, severely hindering rescue efforts and occupant escape.
- In a 2024 “frozen door” incident in Changchun, an NEV’s occupants have been trapped resulting from a frozen deal with motor, lacking crucial rescue time.
- Throughout the 2024 Guangdong heavy rain season, a number of automobiles with electrical door handles skilled quick circuits, stopping doorways from opening and forcing passengers to smash home windows to flee.
- China Insurance coverage Automotive Security Index (C-IASI) crash checks reveal that automobiles with digital door handles achieved solely a 67% door pop-out success fee in aspect collisions, starkly contrasting with the 98% success fee of mechanical handles.
- The Nationwide Accident In-depth Investigation System (NAIS) reported a 47% improve in accidents brought on by door deal with failures in 2024, with hidden handles accounting for a staggering 82% of those incidents.
- The Client Affiliation famous a 132% year-on-year improve in complaints concerning kids’s fingers being pinched by hidden door handles in 2024, together with excessive circumstances of damaged bones.
- Inconvenience: Customers typically discover them inconvenient, particularly in unfamiliar automobiles, and they’re liable to malfunction in excessive climate circumstances like freezing temperatures.
Trade’s personal reckoning and alternate options
Some automakers have already taken a extra cautious method. Volkswagen, for example, has persistently opted for semi-retractable door handles, balancing aesthetics with practicality and security.
FAW–Audi‘s new technology A5L and Q6L e-tron fashions characteristic semi-retractable door handles with built-in micro-switches. Within the occasion of a collision, a pink pull wire robotically deploys, functioning as a mechanical deal with for exterior rescuers.
Wei Jianjun, Chairman of Nice Wall Motor, has publicly criticised hidden door handles, stating their “contribution to tug discount is negligible,” and they’re “heavy, have poor sealing, are noisy, and depend on electrical energy, posing security hazards.”
Broader regulatory context
This potential ban comes after the Ministry of Trade and Info Know-how (MIIT) initiated a revision of the necessary nationwide customary “Security Technical Necessities for Car Door Handles” in Might 2025, particularly addressing the security dangers posed by present hidden door deal with designs. This transfer is seen as the start of a broader regulatory push to boost automotive security.
Past door handles, different controversial design developments, such because the elimination of bodily buttons in favour of full touchscreens, panoramic sunroofs, and digital aspect mirrors, have additionally drawn criticism. Considerations have additionally been raised in regards to the misuse of “weight rings” to bypass steering wheel disengagement detection in superior driver-assistance methods (ADAS), resulting in accidents.
Internationally, regulatory our bodies are additionally responding. The European New Automotive Evaluation Programme (Euro NCAP) introduced that from 2026, automobiles integrating crucial features like flip indicators, hazard lights, horns, wipers, and emergency calls into touchscreens with out bodily controls won’t obtain a five-star security ranking.
