Japanese Media: China Establishes Design Standards for Car Door Handles

According to a September 9 report by Japanese media outlet Nishinippon Shimbun, as electric vehicles become increasingly popular in China, the safety risks associated with the now-popular hidden door handles have drawn growing attention.

To prevent occupants from being trapped inside the vehicle during power outages, China will introduce new door standards starting next year. Relatedly, in August, nine companies including Tesla and Xiaomi submitted recall information for approximately 4.27 million vehicles. The new door handle standard, led by China, may be adopted globally.

Since Tesla first introduced retractable door handles, this design has rapidly gained popularity in China due to its ability to reduce air resistance and enhance energy efficiency through sleek styling. By 2025, 60% of the top 100 best-selling new energy vehicles in terms of monthly sales will feature retractable door handles.

However, safety concerns have followed. According to test results from a Chinese automotive technology research institution, the probability that doors equipped with retractable handles can open normally after a side collision is only 67%, significantly lower than the 98% rate for vehicles with traditional mechanical handles. In a fatal accident in Sichuan Province in 2025, an electric vehicle caught fire after a collision, and the hidden door handles prevented rescuers from opening the doors from outside.

In response, China has decided that new vehicle models released after January 2027 must comply with the new standard. Door handle designs must allow space for external opening, and must ensure manual operation even when completely powered down. From 2029 onward, the standard will apply to all vehicle models.

The industry expects that, under the new standards set by China, safety will take precedence over aesthetic design. This standard could also influence Japan.

Reuters noted: "Up until now, global automotive safety regulations have been dominated by Western countries, but as the world’s largest electric vehicle market, China may now become a key player in setting standards."

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1875854177863692/

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