China Prepares Regulations on Flush Door Handles

KatadataOTO – Regulations regarding the use of door handles are being tightened in China, following an accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan.

In the incident, the flush-style door handle used on the vehicle could not be operated after the car lost power.

This ultimately complicated the evacuation process. The car doors could not be opened, and passengers were trapped in the cabin.

Therefore, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology or MIIT is drafting regulations regarding car door handle standards.

Photo: Carnewschina

It is stated that vehicle door handles must remain mechanically operable after a collision or when there is a problem with the electric car's battery.

Reported by Carnewschina, the draft rule for door handles is titled Automotive Door Handle Safety Technical Requirements.

It explains that all car doors, except for the trunk, must be equipped with mechanically operable door handles.

So that in the event of an accident, the process of evacuating passengers from the cabin can be faster and easier.

This also applies to door handles operated from inside the vehicle. When the car loses power, there must be a special switch to facilitate evacuation.

Not just any standard, MIIT also sets standards for in-cabin door handles, including the use of symbols, contrast, and their visibility in the dark.

“The regulation also explains in detail the testing procedures (for door handle operation) in static and dynamic conditions,” wrote the Carnewschina report, quoted on Thursday (18/12).

Potential to Influence Chinese Car Design

If officially implemented in the future, there is a chance that Chinese manufacturers will adjust their door handle designs not only for the domestic market but also for exports.

Photo: Carnewschina

However, it is not yet known for certain when the door handle rule for electric cars in China will be enforced.

Many new Chinese electric cars now use hidden or flush door handle models. For example, the BYD Seal, Wuling Cloud EV, and Chery J6.

The use of hidden door handles, from a design perspective, looks elegant and enhances the vehicle's exterior aesthetics.