China officially bans concealed door handles, effective from 2027

On January 28, 2026, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China officially approved and released the mandatory national standard "Safety Technical Requirements for Automobile Door Handles" (GB 48001-2026), stipulating that from January 1, 2027, all new models sold in the Chinese market (excluding tailgates) must be equipped with mechanical inner and outer door handles, completely ending the era of "fully concealed" designs. This is not a technological upgrade, but a revolution in automotive safety based on the value of human life.

1. Why are concealed door handles banned?

Concealed door handles were once a "status symbol" for new energy vehicles, but the price was countless avoidable tragedies.

Accident time	Place	Model	Consequences of the incident	Key reason
October 13, 2025	Chengdu Tianfu Avenue, Sichuan	Xiaomi SU7	One person died	The power went out after the collision, and the concealed door handle could not pop out. Rescuers used a chainsaw to break the window.
2024	Shanxi Yuncheng Expressway	Unknown new energy vehicles	3 people died	The car doors were locked after the accident, and people outside could not open them manually.
March 2025	Anhui Expressway	Unknown new energy vehicles	3 people died	Battery thermal runaway + lack of mechanical redundancy in vehicle doors

Data from the China Insurance Research Institute's 2024 crash tests shows that models equipped with electronic concealed door handles had a door opening success rate of only 67% after a side collision, while traditional mechanical door handles achieved a rate of 98%.

Once the power is cut off, the wiring harness melts, or the battery experiences thermal runaway, the electronic system instantly paralyzes, and the car door becomes an "iron coffin."

China is the first country in the world to include "manual door opening even after power failure" in its mandatory standards, not to suppress innovation, but to bring technology back to humanity.

2. Advantages and disadvantages of concealed door handles

Advantages	Truth and the Price
Reduce wind resistance and improve range	Actual measurements showed a reduction in drag coefficient of only 0.02–0.05, corresponding to a range improvement of less than 0.4%, far below the advertised "significant improvement."
Highly technological appearance	Behind the visual "minimalist" design lies structural complexity: it requires motors, sensors, springs, and seals, doubling the potential for failure.
Reduce vehicle body scratches	It is only effective when parked, but in winter, due to ice formation and rain or snow,the failure rate in northern regions is as high as 41%, making it more prone to getting stuck.
Automatic pop-up adds a touch of ceremony.	For the elderly, children, intoxicated individuals, and in emergency situations, the process requires three steps: "sensing + pressing + pulling," which is far less efficient than the traditional "one-pull-to-open" handle.

According to statistics from the China Consumers Association: In 2024, complaints about children's fingers being caught by concealed door handles increased by 132% year-on-year, with low-temperature failure and inability to open in emergencies being the two main areas of complaint.

3. Core of the New Car Door Handle Regulations

GB 48001-2026 is not simply about "eliminating hidden door handles," but rather mandating safety redundancy:

✅ Each door (excluding the tailgate) must be equipped with an independent mechanical exterior handle.

✅ Each door must be equipped with an independent mechanical interior handle.

✅ Mechanical handles must be intuitively located, unobstructed, and clearly marked (graphics ≥ 10mm × 7mm, text ≥ 6mm).

✅ The exterior handle must have at least 30 cm³ of space for hand operation (60mm × 20mm × 25mm).

✅ After a collision or power failure, the doors on the non-impact side must be able to be opened manually through a mechanical structure.

This means: Even if the entire vehicle loses power, the battery catches fire, or the system crashes, you can still pull, kick, or pry open a way out with a rescue hammer.

4. Transition Period Arrangements

Vehicle type	Required effective date	illustrate
Newly approved vehicle models	January 1, 2027	All requirements except for "hand operating space" must be met.
Newly approved vehicle models	January 1, 2028	All standards (including operating space) must be met.
Approved models for sale	Before January 1, 2029	Rectification must be completed; otherwise, sales will be prohibited.

Industry estimates suggest that a single car model will require over 100 million RMB in costs to meet the new regulations, including retooling, rewiring, adding structures, and conducting new crash tests. Brands such as Tesla, Xiaomi, and NIO have already begun redesigning their systems.

Global Comparison: China is defining a new standard for automotive safety.

Standard	Should mechanical redundancy be mandatory?	Is it stipulated that the power can be turned on even when the power is off?	Is the operating space clearly defined?
China GB 48001-2026	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
EU ECE R132	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
ISO 11551	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Only the opening force is specified.

China is the first to incorporate the "fail-safe" concept into mandatory standards, not following international standards, but leading them. In the future, export models wishing to enter the Chinese market must meet this standard – this will force global automakers to redesign their door systems.

5. Car Buying Advice for Consumers (2026–2027)

✅ Prioritize: Models equipped with exposed mechanical door handles (such as BYD Seagull, Wuling Hongguang MINI EV, and some Great Wall Motor/Geely models)

⚠️ Exercise Caution: Models launched before 2027 that rely solely on "hidden + touch" door opening mechanisms, especially for users in cold regions.

🔍 Essential Inspection: Pull the inside of the car door to confirm the presence of an independent mechanical handle and ensure it is unobstructed and clearly marked.

📌 Remember this motto: "Only a metal handle provides peace of mind" — True safety doesn't rely on "smart" features, but on "reliability."

The ultimate goal of car design is not to make cars look like something out of a science fiction movie, but to ensure that every time you open the door, it's a safe arrival.

China, with a new regulation, has put the "right to life" back at the center of automotive design.