China: Tesla must abandon its retractable door handles

China has just shaken up electric vehicle design with a decision that will make waves in the global automotive industry. From January 2027, retractable door handles will be banned on all new models sold in the country. This measure, announced by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), affects approximately 60% of electric vehicles currently sold on the Chinese market.

Tesla, a pioneer of this sleek and aerodynamic design, is directly impacted, as are many Chinese manufacturers who have adopted this aesthetic signature. A transition period is planned until January 2029 for models already approved, but the message is clear: safety comes before design innovation.

A game-changing regulation for the electric vehicle industry

The new safety standard imposed by the MIIT will come into effect on January 1, 2027. From this date, all new electric vehicles must be equipped with mechanical door handles accessible from the outside, operating without electrical power.

The figures speak for themselves: approximately 60% of the best-selling EVs in China currently use retractable door handles. This decision by the Chinese ministry therefore marks a real turning point for the country’s entire automotive ecosystem.

The transition period until 2029 will allow manufacturers to sell off existing stock and calmly prepare new compliant models. The stated objective remains simple: to reinforce the passive safety of electric vehicles, particularly in emergencies.

Tesla, the innovator behind a now controversial design

An aesthetic and aerodynamic choice that became a signature

I must admit that Tesla truly revolutionized the innovative design of electric vehicles by popularizing retractable door handles starting with the Tesla Model S. This choice wasn’t just aesthetic: it reduced the drag coefficient, improved aerodynamics, and offered that sleek design which became the signature of premium vehicles.

When you observe the exterior design of the Model Y, you immediately understand the importance of these details in the brand’s visual identity. These flush door handles contribute to that impression of advanced technology and modernity.

Mass adoption by local manufacturers

Tesla’s innovation quickly became an aspirational standard for Chinese manufacturers. Xpeng, Nio, BYD, Xiaomi… all have massively adopted this design for their high-end models.

On the Chinese EV market, these retractable door handles have become the symbol of a premium and technological vehicle. As China is the world’s largest automotive market, this regulation will have considerable repercussions.

For Tesla, the impact particularly concerns Teslas manufactured in China at the Shanghai Gigafactory, which produces significant volumes for the local market and for export.

Fatal accidents that precipitated the decision

The Chengdu tragedy that changed everything

Last October, a fatal accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 in Chengdu tragically highlighted the risks of these retractable door handles. The driver died, and rescuers found themselves unable to open the doors from the outside.

The electrical failure following the impact had completely disabled the opening mechanism. The testimonies of rescuers blocked by this faulty system deeply affected Chinese public opinion and accelerated the regulatory decision-making.

Risk scenarios identified by authorities

Authorities have identified several critical situations where retractable door handles pose a major problem for occupant safety:

• Electrical failure during a violent crash, rendering electronic door handles inoperable
• Thermal runaway of the battery cutting off all power
• Fire making electronic door opening impossible
• Critical seconds lost to quickly evacuate occupants

I find these concerns perfectly legitimate when you know the specificities of lithium-ion batteries and their risks in the event of a serious incident.

What are the concrete consequences for Tesla and other manufacturers?

The technical requirements of the new standard

The new regulation imposes very precise criteria:

• Requirement for mechanical exterior door handles operating without electricity
• At least one independent mechanical door handle per door inside
• Guaranteed operation even in case of battery thermal runaway
• Reinforced compliance tests before approval

A costly but inevitable redesign

The necessary redesign will have several consequences for manufacturers. First, a potential impact on aerodynamics: the return to protruding door handles could slightly increase the drag coefficient, even if engineers will certainly find creative solutions.

Next, aesthetic modifications are inevitable. Goodbye to the perfectly flush design that was the pride of design departments. Compliance costs will include engineering, new tooling, and validation tests.

Fortunately, the deadline until 2029 for models already approved allows for a gradual transition. Tesla will have to adapt its models manufactured in China, particularly those produced at the Shanghai Gigafactory.

A precedent that could set a global trend

China is often a pioneer in EV standards, and this decision could inspire other markets. Europe and the United States are closely watching this development, especially since some European manufacturers also use retractable door handles on their electric models.

The debate is open: how far can innovation vs. safety be pushed? Should the precautionary principle always take precedence over design freedom? I think this question will drive the automotive industry in the coming years.

For future $25,000 Tesla models, this constraint could even become an advantage: designing vehicles from the outset to comply with the strictest safety standards will facilitate their global commercialization.

This international regulation in the making is part of a broader context where expected regulatory developments aim to better frame the specificities of electric vehicles, particularly regarding fire safety and emergency response.

It remains to be seen how Tesla and other manufacturers will concretely react in the coming months. The first compliant models are expected by 2026-2027, and this transformation recalls a fundamental truth: safety remains the absolute priority, even in the face of the most appealing innovations. The EV industry continues to learn and adapt, and that is ultimately excellent news for all users.