China Slaps Ban on Electric Vehicles with Hidden Door Handles

The Chinese government has announced plans to ban Tesla-style concealed door handles on electric vehicles due to growing safety concerns over people getting trapped inside their cars. Starting January 1st next year, all new vehicles sold in China will be required to feature mechanical release door handles that can be accessed both from the outside and inside the vehicle. This move aims to address a design trend popularized by Tesla and adopted by other electric vehicle manufacturers, which sees hidden handles retracting into the door surface. The ban is part of efforts to prioritize road safety in the country’s rapidly growing EV market.