The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has prepared a new regulation that radically changes vehicle door handle safety standards following recent accidents and battery fires, particularly involving electric vehicles. Safety vulnerabilities highlighted by accidents involving popular models like the Xiaomi SU7 prompted Beijing to act. The new national standard draft, presented for public consultation, mandates that doors must be mechanically openable after collisions or battery thermal incidents.

Regulations on Automatic Door Handles

The new regulation requires all side doors, except the trunk lid, to be openable from the outside with a mechanical handle. According to the draft text, in severe collisions where airbags deploy or in cases of battery overheating, rescue teams or occupants can open the doors without using any tools.

In vehicles with electronically controlled or automatic locking systems, the mechanical release mechanism continues to function even if the system remains locked or the power is completely cut off. Precise geometric limits have also been defined for the position of the door handles and the operating area where a hand can enter. This ensures that access to and use of the door handle is not hindered even if there is a power loss.

Similar strict rules have also been introduced for interior door handles. Each side door must have at least one mechanical interior door handle, and this handle must be located in a position easily visible to those inside the vehicle. In designs with multiple handles, the ability of each handle to open the door independently is maintained.

Furthermore, permanent markings with high-contrast, standardized symbols that are visible even in low light conditions are now mandatory on the interior handles. The Ministry has specified clear technical parameters regarding the size and recognition of these markings.

The implementation schedule is progressing in stages; models receiving new type approval must comply with all spatial requirements 13 months after the regulation comes into effect. For existing models that have already received approval, the compliance period is set at 25 months. With this regulation, China is guaranteeing safety standards in the electric vehicle market through mechanical requirements.