China orders EVs to drop hidden door handles, enforce visible releases by 2027

China will ban hidden door handles on new electric vehicles, requiring mechanical door releases on both inside and outside and visible opening indicators; the rules take effect January 1, 2027, with a two-year grace period for already-approved cars. Hidden handles are common in China’s NEV market, and the move could have global impact given China’s market clout, as Tesla faces ongoing safety scrutiny in the U.S. over similar designs.