Chinese Regulators May Ban Hidden, Pop-Out Door Handles. Should They?

• Reporting from the Chinese outlet Mingjing Pro suggests China may soon ban completely hidden exterior door handles.
• Globally, hidden handles have been criticized as being finicky and possibly unreliable, but also dangerous for first responders.
• If true, Chinese and Western vehicles would have to change designs to be in compliance with the regulation.

The tech-forward Tesla Model S slipped onto the scene in 2012 with dazzling flush-mounted door handles that popped out whenever the car was unlocked. Fast forward more than a decade, and self-retracting, electronic door handles are now ubiquitous—and kind of a calling card for electric vehicles. Perhaps manufacturers wanted to replicate Tesla’s success by emulating the coolest parts of its products. 

For automakers and techno-geek customers, they’re the pinnacle of tech—a quick way for manufacturers to make a kind of ordinary car feel futuristic, while also reducing drag and improving efficiency. For some drivers though, they’re just a pain. It’s not uncommon for people to complain about the reliability and usability of the handles themselves. Recently, they’ve come under heavy criticism by some regulatory boards in different countries, as some deeply question whether they’re necessary at all.

Now, China is considering banning the use of hidden, electric door handles, the Chinese media outlet Mingjing Pro reported this week, citing anonymous auto industry sources. Is that a good thing?

This comes after May’s news that the Chinese government had issued draft rules stating that cars must have a clearly marked mechanical release on the inside, and not just an electronic button. Currently, the ban is still an unconfirmed rumor, but an unnamed automotive company R&D employee told the outlet that Chinese regulators are preparing to ban fully concealed door handles entirely, and that automakers that sell in China need to get on board as soon as possible.

The rumored solution would eliminate fully hidden exterior door handles, but semi-retractable door handles and traditional ones would be fine, so long as they have a physical, mechanical redundant release.

There are plenty of critiques to be had about concealed door handles, and they’ve been cast in a negative light in China recently. Last April in China, an Aito M7 crossover rear-ended a large truck and caught on fire, putting Huawei and Aito into the global spotlight. Some blamed Huawei’s level 2 autonomous driving assistance features for not saving the car from crashing, while others were concerned at how quickly the M7 caught on fire in the crash itself. First responders reported that the M7’s door handles failed to open, making it more difficult to rescue the occupants inside. Unfortunately, three people died in the crash. 

Now, this ban, if true, could substantially change the way cars look. Both Chinese and Western brands would have to work quickly to meet regulations. Cars like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its exterior door release buttons, may need to have real door handles for the exterior. The Lexus RZ350e has door handle-shaped grab handles, but they’re actually electronic releases. It too might need to change to conform to this regulation.

I am curious to see how this could affect the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6. Although those handles (optionally, on the Kia) use electronics to keep them flush to the body when the car is locked, they’re actually a mechanical release that isn’t super different from any normal car door. It’s worth noting that it’s common for U.S.-market cars with electronic interior door releases to also have a mechanical backup. 

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Should the U.S. be next? Maybe so; safety concerns aside, one of the biggest sticking points for electric cars is reliability. And it’s not necessarily the motor or powertrain that are causing problems, but rather features like super complicated infotainment systems or electronic door handles. Also, critiques of hidden door handles with obscure interior releases aren’t new. In 2019, Dr. Omar Awan died when his Tesla Model S crashed and caught fire. The door handles did not present, and first responders reported that they were unable to extract Awan before the car was engulfed in flames.

I’m all for futuristic car design, but I don’t think it should come at the expense of safety. Maybe getting rid of hidden, self-presenting electronic door handles is what’s best.

Contact the author: Kevin.Williams@insideevs.com