China bans hidden car door handles, which can trap people after crashes

Misleading headline. China bans door handles that are fully electronically operated. Seems to me like this has a very simple solution, which is to integrate the mechanical release into the electronic door handle. Pull it slightly, it opens electronically. Pull it harder and it opens mechanically. Using such a design from both sides means it’s very easy for everyone to locate the “correct” door handle in both normal operation and during an emergency – because it’s the same one. And it would also still allow flush door handles such as with the Model 3 and Y.

makes sense

Great idea.

2012-2020 Model S worked this way on the interior. But if applied to the exterior, does this mean the end of door locks? Having the car unlock on crash detection is as brittle as popping open on crash detection for electronic strikers. If you have to break the glass to unlock the door, then an interior mechanical pop could suffice. I suspect that the answer is "Mechanical locks are known, so regardless of objective failure modes, people feel more comfortable"

That is an example of intelligent use of regulation to protect consumers.

I’ve seen this being posted around and mentioning Tesla primarily. To Tesla’s defence compared to popular BYD models, the outside door handles are flush but are still a lever that is actuated. Whereas many BYD models the recessed handle needs to electronically come out before you can actuate it. I see this as a good step forward as I think we can all agree that door handles both internally and externally have become a less safe. But let’s not point the finger at just Tesla as maybe other EV’s share a similar design that is in many cases more unsafe

Cars are already designed to unlock doors from the outside when the airbags deploy. The reason that mechanical handles are mandated is that 12V battery power to all places in the car is a very common thing to fail in a crash.

The hidden Tesla emergency handles was one of the stupidest things ever.

Yeah, I think every single one of these posts on this topic uses a picture of the door handle of the 3/Y despite the fact that as far as I can tell, is entirely legal under the new law. However, if the exterior handle already has to be mechanically linked to the door lock mechanism, I think rather than what you mentioned that opens electronically and mechanically, what would be common would be[ something like this](https://youtu.be/Wqd6wrWcmW4?t=86). An actuator pops the door handle out but is otherwise still mechanically linked to the door mechanism (Note, I don't know if the handle in this case is actually mechanically linked, I'm using it as a demonstration for what electronically pops out but still mechanically linked means).

Now, as someone who has an EV shop, the number of models we see are limited, but I've not come across a car with separate wiring from the restraint control system to the latches themselves for the purposes of unlocking. This still requires power from the body control module(s) to operate the locking mechanism, which is still all supplied by the normal 12V system.

Not the model X but well...

But the lock can be opened directly when the crash is detected, where the vehicle has a higher chance of still having power – as the airbag also requires that power. I wouldn’t program the cars to automatically fully open the doors in that moment, as that can actually limit the airbag’s effectiveness or even eject people from the car. Depending on the speed, the door might also just immediately close again.

Yeah, definately not while still accelerating

Which is discontinued

The 3/Y exterior handles would not comply with this part of the rule (from Bloomberg’s article): > On the door’s exterior, there must be a recessed space measuring at least 6 centimeters by 2 centimeters (2.4 inches by 0.8 inches) for a hand to grasp a handle.

Exterior handles can’t be fully flush under the new rules. The 3/Y exterior handles would not comply with this part of the rule (from Bloomberg’s article): > On the door’s exterior, there must be a recessed space measuring at least 6 centimeters by 2 centimeters (2.4 inches by 0.8 inches) for a hand to grasp a handle.

I don’t agree with much of what China does, however, this makes sense to me

They are like that for a reason - to stop a child bypassing the child locks and potentially falling out of the vehicle. That is the key reason they are hidden in the rear seats and not the front.

Truck?

Its not simple at all, if youre going to change doors to manual levels, then you need ways to lock/unlock with key, teslas dont have keys.

Literally everyone else figured this out

Who would have ever thought that the Chinese would place a higher priority on human life than America?

No, Tesla will have to modify their handles by 2029. The new regulations require a physical handle that protrudes.

fully electronic door handles is madness

Every car I’ve had before my Tesla had simple mechanical rear door handles that still respected the child lock setting. It’s a solved problem.

I think you might be incorrect on BYD models. When flushed, they can be pushed and pulled to open without electronically coming out.

>Who would have ever thought that the Chinese would place a higher priority on human life than America? In the year 2026 and with the way the US is trending? Probably most people at this point.

America is a shadow of its former self

Only the rich own cars there

Indeed. Though, even before all the recent happenings in the US, one could always look at the American Healthcare system to see what kind of priority they place on human life.

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This thread just made me realize I don’t even know where my car’s emergency handles are.

Just use a normal car handle

I think a physical handle you can get your hand under and pull, rather than protrudes from the bodywork. [This](https://www.usnews.com/object/image/00000193-873d-de92-abd7-d7bf2a620000/usnpx-2025minicountryman-doorhandle-zd.jpg?update-time=1733141429582&size=responsiveGallery) for example is flush to the door but should meet the regulations, as it’s entirely manual.

That's kinda dumb, since the 3Y handles are not "pulled into the car" electronically like S/X handles are. 3Y handles are mechanical - it's basically a lever you use your thumb to open.

I know where mine are but I need to tie a string or something to the release so I can pull it rather than having to fumble under the plastic mat, reach in, find the release, then pull.

Older Model S used to have this in the interior’s door. Lucid Air also has this. Mercedes Cla EV does have electric retractable doors handles on front that can be mechanical.

I guess. No denying life is kinda shit. Makes you wonder why China made this move first rather than the EU/US.

Mercedes Cla ev has an electric flush door handles but mechanical release from outside if I’m not mistaken.

The electronic sensor in the handle can unlock the car, just like it does now. You don’t need a key for that, but you do need a real lock.

Fully electrical system I understand. But if we follow the reasoning the door has to be unlocked for emergency. So you won't be allowed to lock your car anymore ?! There is a dangerous threshold and misleading information in this matter.

Nope. On my BMW iX, the child locks also prevent the (easily accessible) mechanical backup handle from opening the door. It's a solvable problem.

Wait until they find out how hard it is to break out double paned laminated glass. In a serious crash often the door can't be opened because of damage. So the handle type are meaningless. So the only way out is to break the window or climb out the window if it is already broken. the laminated glass makes this much harder. And this isn't just a Tesla problem. I had a recent experience where I was involved in an incident where someone had a medical emergency and myself and others were trying to get into their vehicle to help them. This type of glass made that extremely difficult even with tools that worked on standard glass. I am personally far more worried about the glass then the door handle type when it comes to accidents and needing to get into or out of a vehicle.

"Mechanical" is somewhat incorrect. The exterior door handle isn't physically connected to the latch mechanism. The handle unit has a Hall sensor that tells the car to unlatch the door when you pull on the handle. It's like a magnetic door sensor alarm systems use. This is why you can pop open the door from the Tesla mobile app.

Fun thing is my 2019 Model 3 doesn’t have any for the rear seats.

It’s still a two-step process to grab the door handle, and they want to reduce that to one obvious step in case of an emergency.

I think basically all modern cars unlock when a collision is detected / airbags go off. The point is that the electronics could die after that point and it should still be simple to open the door.

Tesla handles are the worst. They didn’t need to reimagine these, just use ones that humans like to use.

Yeah, BMW going back :)

AFAIK the doorhandle is not connected to a real mechanical release system but only triggers a sensor.

There was no reason for all the Tesla handle theatrics in the first place. They should have just put a regular handle on it like everybody else.

I was thinking the same thing, especially for submerged vehicles.

Is not the same as the fisker ocean door handles? With the first generation ones currently illegal in the USA? I believe the Tesla ones are legal there!

Electronics stop working in emergencies, especially in fire and water situations.

So you’re saying these regulations don’t go far enough and should require manufacturers to also include a physical keyhole. Fair enough. Though I would personally doubt the usefulness of that, because first responders would very very likely not have the key to the random car that plunged into a river in front of them.

So youre saying they should always be unlocked? Smart.

My 2010 VW Golf, if you lock it with the remote, someone inside can't get out. The unlock button inside won't do anything, windows won't go down, no emergency pull release.  This has mechanical door handles.  A Tesla is WAY safer than this.

No. I don’t see how that’s a good compromise with personal safety. But all modern cars automatically unlock all doors on impact in a major accident, so regulations are going in that direction.

At least they have that. My 2010 VW golf if you lock it with the remote, you can't get out. The mechanical handles won't open the doors, electronic umlock button won't unlock, windows won't go down.  I'll take a Tesla with an emergency release thanks.

I have the new Juniper and changed the back doors to use a reasonably obvious emergency pull handle device that replaces the carpet cover. (I don't have kids to worry about) That carpet cover was extremely difficult to remove (pop out) even with a pry tool, let alone your bare fingers. Looking at my '23 model 3 (pre-highland), I'm going to have to drill holes. That carpet cover doesn't usually have rear passengers, so I can wait and see if a recall ever develops.

Its a destruction because all the CCP run car brands are having issues with battery fires, break failures and airbag controllers failing.

The US has been like this most of the time for the last 100 years. Anything better is more out of the norm.

Especially given some cars explosively cut the battery cables and shutdown the engine during an accident. (It’s super awesome getting rear ended on the highway and everything being otherwise fine — if your car didn’t suicide itself and make it much worse. A rollover or such I can see, or an electric, but this was dumb.)

Boat?

Yeah i still have 0 idea how that got allowed here in the US. Granted 98% of my driving is just me alone or with a front seat passenger, but still for the other 2% of the time i have a rear seat passenger its a huge hazard if we do get in an accident and they cannot get out easily.

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>*other EV’s share a similar design that is in many cases more unsafe* Weird how nobody ever mentions the Mach-E, which has no handles at all. They have a touch sensor button that pops the doors and then you pull it the rest of the way open.

No one, because they don't.

> And this isn't just a Tesla problem. Laminated side glass has been in use in the luxury car market since the early-mid 2000's, way before Tesla was even a legitimate car company. It has many benefits over tempered glass including better safety in crashes (esp in rollovers). The egress problem was not as much of an issue until electronically actuated door locks/handles became a thing.

Then you haven't tried to break through one of them to get into or out of a vehicle. Again in many cases in an accident the doors won't be able to open anyway. And you will be forced to use the window. I have zero worry about my Tesla as the mechanical release is right there when I am driving. But after trying to get through one of those windows in an emergency that makes me far more concerned.

> Then you haven't tried to break through one of them to get into or out of a vehicle a vehicle. Again in many cases in an accident the doors won't be able to open anyway. And you will be forced to use the window. Never said that. I am saying that laminated side glass has been a thing on luxury cars for at least the last 25 years. The security/safety of the glass was considered a benefit and the egress issue wasn't really talked about until electronic door locks and handles became a thing

lol as if Tesla is still gonna be making cars in 2029

Maybe delay the function so that all doors will pop open after 30 seconds of the impact.

My friend's Mercedes SL has the same type of handles. They don't pop out like on my s. When you get close you have to actually touch the handle. If it doesn't like you touch that you have to touch them again and then eventually they pop out. There's going to be a whole bunch of cars that need to change. I'm wondering if you could have a flush handle but a flap that pushes in below the handle to grab the handle.

I think most cars already unlock the doors when in an accident. The issue is that if 12V power fails afterwards, an electronic handle may not extend or function.

Why is it weird? It’s nowhere near as popular as other EV’s so it’s less likely to get a mention

It should

Only model year 2024 and newer have them.

Most if not all modern car unlocks when a collision is detected, yes. But it's done electronically as the locks are not mechanical anymore. So why handles should fail and not locks? The same logic should apply to locks that's what I'm saying. But to be honest, serious car accident are quite rare and failure of electronics as well so I don't think it matters. It's not zero, but nothing is... yes mechanical door system can also fail during a crash (I know: shocker) And emergency responder are used to stuck doors and able to open them. But as always not 100% will be fast enough even on cars with old style door handles.

The issue is the 3/Y are still electrical only for the door to open. The new rule requires a mechanical mechanism to open the door from the outside.

They should, but they don't. Only the Highland models I believe. My 2018 is the same way. >In a 2018 Model 3, there is no official, readily accessible manual mechanical release for the rear doors. The manual release levers are located only in the front doors. In an emergency, rear passengers must move to the front doors to exit, or use the emergency trunk release.

When I got my model y that guy at the dealership showed me how to use the screen , plug it in for charging , and how to use the emergency releases in the back They should have mandatory at all deliveries but prolly don’t want to pay for the role

Which Tesla can you open door with mobile app

No power = unlocked. Active power is required to lock the vehicle. We are not talking about emergency responders here, but rather the first people to arrive at the scene, the witnesses to the accident.

Apparently not the worst. https://www.reddit.com/r/teslamotors/s/Klb98vqPFD

I wasn't decided about this but I saw this this morning: [https://www.reddit.com/r/maybemaybemaybe/comments/1qw9vb5/maybe\_maybe\_maybe/](https://www.reddit.com/r/maybemaybemaybe/comments/1qw9vb5/maybe_maybe_maybe/) They make it out alive barely. Jesus christ, this cannot be legal

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Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck, and refreshed Model S and Model X (2021 and later).

This isn't entirely correct, my Model 3 (2018) and Model Y (2021) cannot do this. Edit: nevermind, it can

I would check again, My model Y (2021) has this feature, but you have to add it to the quick controls, the feature is called unlatch door. I believe it only works for the driver door.

Oh whoops you're right. Wow that setting is buried! Thanks!

The fact this isn't law in the USA is because when FMVSS was written no one conceived as something so dumb as non mechanical release handles that would fail in an emergency

https://preview.redd.it/vejh93oberhg1.png?width=1290&format=png&auto=webp&s=6f9ac0c186d785b15b26ec4013eec9dc47d2d576 It specifically mentions the Y and 3 handles. I don't see how they can sell there if not for a full redesign. Law takes in effect end of year. China sales gonna tank if they don't announce a change. No one is going to want to buy an older design car.

https://preview.redd.it/qr33febherhg1.png?width=1290&format=png&auto=webp&s=3b94e942970424f77b13c7c9046f69464e3c2dd1 **Looks like they need a full redesign if they want to sell there.**

Corporate persecution complex ^ China does not give af about Tesla. This affects Chinese companies who are bigger than Tesla.

This affect about 60% of Chinese brands.

Or you could take a car were the thing is not hidden and easily reachable in case of emergency. Can be a Tesla once they redesign it. Just because something is worse don’t need to accept bad.

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I am glad this is happening, I just wish it would happen every where right now. I can only imagine getting into a car crash and all of the electronics are disabled, including the door handles. If one person somehow gets out of the car after a crash…this can be considered a near miracle…but what if he or she also has children in the back and you cannot get them out and the car is on fire???!!!

The US government, you mean?

Surprised they don't just have a capacitor in the door locks to hold electricity for this purpose. Just needs a few watts at 12v, a 50w 12v capacitor is just $5 retail.

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Good thing these aren't hidden LOL

The Model S dipped into the Mercedes parts bin. Door handles, transmission stalk, blinker stalk, sun roof ...

A move they made so more people will buy China made EV vehicles. Their EV market has gone crazy the last 5 years