Why China banned retractable door handles on cars

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) of China announced that from January 1, 2027 they will be prohibited the retractable handles on cara fashionable “quirk” introduced in recent years. There had been talk about this possible decision for some time and it was hypothesized that the prohibition could have started in July 2027, however the measure was brought forward for reasons of safety. In the ordinance, cited by major international media such as CNN, the ban was introduced due to the potential difficulty by the rescuers – or even theimpossibility – to operate the external handles of the doors in case of road accident. However, the measure also involves the internal handles: both types, in fact, in China from January 1st 2027 will have to be equipped with a mechanical release device. The ordinance, as explained by CNN, also indicates that the external door handles “should have sufficient space to operate the unlocking mechanism with one hand from any angle,” while internal ones “should be clearly visible from the position of the corresponding occupant”.

The retractable handles, recently introduced by various car manufacturers, certainly make the car look more attractive streamlined And aerodynamics. This also represents a (limited) advantage from the point of view of consumptionespecially for the heavy ones electric vehiclessince it improves the aerodynamic coefficientbut it seems clear that it is mainly an element of design to increase theelegance and the silhouette of the cars. Basically we’re talking about fashion. The retractable handles, in fact, “disappear” inside the doors when the car is moving, leaving the surface smooth and uniform. There are various types: some are foldable by pressing the front of the handle, others rely on electric actuators (electric actuator) and are those mainly targeted by the Chinese authorities. In fact, if for some reason there should be an interruption of the electric currentin the event of an accident, rescuers may have difficulty opening the doors with the handles stuck inside. It’s easy to imagine what could happen in the event of a fire, where seconds of difference can save a life.

The Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club eV also expressed its opinion in this regard (ADAC), the most important automobile club in Europe. In 2024 in an ad hoc statement he wrote that theEuro NCAPi.e. the European consortium for the verification of vehicle safety systems, in specific tests in which force and times to open the doors are verified, had not found any problems with these retractable handles, also because the vehicles are equipped with systems automated which unlock them in the event of an accident. However, the ADAC still expressed doubts about what could happen in the real world. “From the mobility club’s point of view, a mechanical solution for extending the door handles offers the best chance of opening the doors from the outside after an accident, even in the event of a power failure,” explained the German body. “Rescuers always have difficulty when the deformation of the bodywork of the vehicle is so severe that the doors lock and cannot be opened even by pulling the handle forcefully. Nonetheless, a sturdy, elongated handle can help to open the door even in the event of significant deformation and resistance, for example if the door scrapes on the ground or an obstacle, or if the vehicle is upside down,” the ADAC added.

A recent investigation conducted by Bloomberg seems to fully justify China’s decision. Some serious ones are mentioned fatal accidents or with very serious injuries precisely due to the impossibility of opening the electro-actuated handles which remained blocked. For example, the case of a couple who remained trapped inside aelectric car overturned and with start of fire; an off-duty firefighter managed to get the man out after breaking the window, precisely because the handles were stuck and the doors could not be opened. His wife, who was stuck in the passenger seat, was pulled out only after the accident permanent lung damage And third degree burns on the face. In the Bloomberg article also cited by carandriver, some fatal accidents are also indicated with several people stuck in cars that caught fire. There is no more absurd death and atrocious after a car accident, especially if the potential cause is linked to a design element such as retractable door handles. It is no surprise that the car manufacturers involved in the above cases are considering redesigning their door opening systems.

Reports from authoritative bodies such as the United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report several cases of people being forced to break windows of their cars after leaving their children in the back seat and no longer being able to access the passenger compartment due to the doors being locked. There are also numerous cases of motorists who, in the event of an absence of electricity, have no longer been able to access their car (different brands and models are involved). In light of the potential risks, having a classic mechanical opening therefore seems the most logical and wise solution. Since the Chinese market is very large, it would not be surprising if this ban were to be reflected in us too: designing the same models with different handles would clearly cost more, so car manufacturers could adapt accordingly. Nor can it be ruled out that the ban will also be introduced elsewhere.