China to Require Mechanical EV Door Releases by 2027 (Full Transcript)

New Chinese rules target hidden EV door handles, requiring mechanical inside/outside releases that work without power for new model approvals from 2027.
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[00:00:00] Speaker 1: Wait, so China is banning hidden door handles like these that can be pretty hard to open on all new electric vehicles beginning next year. Huge moves, a world first ban because China says in multiple crashes, it's suspected that power failed, doors did not open, people couldn't get out. So the rule, new car models applying for Chinese approval must meet these new door handle rules by January 1st, 2027. That means real mechanical door releases inside, outside with no power required. For all the cars on the road already with hidden handles, there is no indication yet that they would need to change. This affects millions of cars from Tesla to tons of Chinese brands like Xiaomi and BYD that have been inspired by Tesla's door design. Now, Chinese media have also reported that around 60 percent of new Chinese EVs use these hidden door handles. China isn't just the world's largest car market, it's becoming the rule setter for the entire world. What China bans, more countries may follow.

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Arow Summary
China will require new EV models seeking approval to use door handles that can be opened mechanically from both inside and outside without electrical power, effectively banning hard-to-open hidden/flush handles due to safety concerns after crashes where power failure may have prevented escape. The rules take effect for new model approvals by Jan 1, 2027, and there’s no indication existing cars must be retrofitted. The change impacts many brands (including Tesla-inspired designs) and could influence regulations globally as China sets standards for a large share of the EV market.
Arow Title
China to mandate mechanical door releases on new EVs
Arow Keywords
China Remove
EV Remove
electric vehicles Remove
hidden door handles Remove
flush door handles Remove
safety regulation Remove
mechanical release Remove
power failure Remove
crash safety Remove
Tesla Remove
BYD Remove
Xiaomi Remove
vehicle approval Remove
2027 Remove
Arow Key Takeaways
  • China will require door handles/releases that work without electrical power on new EV models.
  • The rule targets hidden/flush handles that can be difficult to operate in emergencies.
  • Implementation applies to new model approvals by January 1, 2027.
  • Existing vehicles with hidden handles are not currently indicated to need changes.
  • The regulation affects many EV makers, including Tesla and numerous Chinese brands.
  • As a major auto market, China’s standards may influence other countries’ regulations.
Arow Sentiments
Neutral: The tone is primarily informative and cautionary, emphasizing safety risks and regulatory impact without strong emotional language beyond noting the move as significant.
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