China Bans Concealed EV Door Handles from 2027 Amid Safety Concerns

• China has banned concealed electric vehicle door handles, mandating mechanical releases for all new EVs from January 1, 2027.
• The new safety rules, issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, require both interior and exterior manual door releases.
• The decision follows high-profile incidents, including fatal Xiaomi EV crashes where power failures allegedly trapped occupants.
• Models already approved for launch have until January 2029 to comply, impacting popular EVs like Tesla's Model Y and Model 3.
• China's move could set a global standard, influencing regulations in other markets like the US and Europe, where similar safety probes are underway.

Why It Matters: China leads global EV safety by banning concealed door handles, mandating manual releases from 2027.