China Officially Bans Flush Door Handles From 2027

China has approved a new national safety standard that will effectively end the use of fully flush, electronic-only door handles on most vehicles sold in the country.

Known as GB 48001-2026, the regulation takes effect on Jan 1, 2027 and applies to all passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

At its core, the rule is simple: every side door must be able to open mechanically, even if the vehicle loses power or suffers serious damage. That includes situations such as electronic failures, severe crashes, battery thermal events or irreversible airbag deployment. In an emergency, doors must still open.

The change follows growing concern over flush and hidden door handle designs, a styling trend popularised by modern EVs. While these handles offer marginal aerodynamic gains and a cleaner look, they have come under fire for failing after crashes or fires, leaving occupants unable to escape.

Under the new standard, electric exterior handles are not banned outright, but they must be backed by a separate mechanical linkage. That system must withstand forces of at least 500 N without breaking or detaching, and still be able to open the door after testing.

Where handles sit also matters. Exterior handles must be positioned within defined areas on the door or door frame and allow enough space for a hand to grip in all conditions. Semi-hidden designs remain allowed, but only if they include a recessed grip measuring at least 60 mm by 20 mm.

Inside the cabin, the rules are just as strict. Each side door must have at least one mechanical interior release that works independently. At least one handle must be clearly visible from the seated position and placed within 300 mm of the door edge.

To avoid confusion in emergencies, interior handles must also carry permanent, high-contrast symbols, along with clear Chinese or pictorial instructions. The handles themselves must meet minimum strength requirements and still open the door after load testing.

The rollout will be phased. New vehicle type approvals must meet most requirements from July 1, 2025, with full compliance required after 13 months. Vehicles already approved will have until July 1, 2027, with some reports suggesting certain models may be allowed to continue until 2029.

The cost implications are significant. Industry sources estimate that redesigning door systems could cost automakers up to RMB100 million (RM57 million) per model, a price many will have little choice but to pay given China’s importance as a market.

The rule affects a wide range of vehicles currently sold in China, including foreign models such as the Tesla Model 3, Model Y and BMW iX, alongside numerous domestic EVs.

Source: CarNewsChina