China to Ban Fully Recessed Door Handles from 2027, Forcing Tesla, Xiaomi and Others to Redesign

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) recently jointly issued the "Safety Technical Requirements for Automotive Door Handles," stipulating that, effective January 1, 2027, all newly submitted vehicle models must be equipped with interior and exterior door handles featuring a mechanical release mechanism to ensure doors can be manually opened in emergencies. This effectively bans the fully concealed door handles currently widely used on electric vehicles. The new regulation also sets specific requirements regarding operating space, clarity of labeling, and structural strength. According to the transition plan, all new models launched from 2028 onward must fully comply with the standard, while existing models already on the market must complete necessary modifications by 2029. The standard addresses consumer concerns about vehicle safety and could influence global automotive design trends.