China Bans Flush Door Handles Over Safety Risks: Will India Follow?

China is set to ban flush and hidden door handles on passenger cars from 1 January 2027, and this one has caught the attention of car fans worldwide. The rule comes from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and focuses on one simple point: doors must open even when everything else fails. Every car sold in China will need proper mechanical door handles that work from inside and outside without relying on electronics. Existing models will get time until 1 January 2029 to comply. With electric cars dominating new launches, this move shows how safety is starting to outweigh design trends. It also means carmakers will need to rethink future updates, especially for EVs that depend heavily on powered systems.

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The decision follows reports of crashes where doors could not be opened after a power cut. In cars with electric flush handles, both passengers and rescue teams struggled to gain access. Mechanical handles remove that risk and allow doors to be opened instantly. In emergency situations, seconds matter, and regulators want to avoid any barrier that delays exit or rescue.

Flush door handles became popular with modern EV design. Tesla played a big role in making them mainstream, and many Chinese electric cars adopted the same approach. While the setup looked clean and helped with airflow, problems surfaced when batteries failed or software froze. As EV numbers increased, these real-world issues became harder to ignore.

The ban will apply to both local and international brands selling cars in China. Carmakers must now use visible, hand-operated handles with enough space for easy use. Semi-hidden designs may still be allowed if they include a full mechanical backup. This change will affect upcoming launches and mid-life updates across several models.

In India, the situation is being closely watched. Flush door handles are already seen on cars from Mahindra and Tata Motors, especially in EVs and SUVs. Any similar move here would need safety data and industry discussions. There is no plan yet, but China’s decision could push the conversation forward.