Retractable Door Handles to Be Banned in China Starting 2027 Under New Safety Standard

[Policy and Regulation] A national mandatory standard explicitly prohibits fully retractable door handles starting in 2027.

Key Development: Full Ban on Fully Retractable Door Handles Effective 2027

The "Safety Technical Requirements for Automotive Door Handles" (GB 48001–2026) will take effect on January 1, 2027, requiring every vehicle door to be equipped with mechanical release-type interior and exterior handles to ensure manual operation remains possible during extreme scenarios such as power failure or collision.

Key Data: 60% of Top-Selling New Energy Vehicles Affected

As of April 2025, approximately 60% of China’s top 100 best-selling new energy vehicle models feature retractable door handles. The new regulation mandates that exterior handles must provide an operational space of no less than 60mm × 20mm × 25mm and withstand a pulling force of 500 newtons; interior handles must be unobstructed and marked with permanent identification.

Strategic Rationale: Shifting from "Aesthetics First" Back to "Safety Baseline"

Multiple incidents have exposed the failure risks of retractable handles under conditions such as power loss, freezing, and collisions. The regulation includes a two-year grace period, allowing already-approved models until 2029 to achieve compliance, thereby facilitating a rational industry transition.