China has banned hidden door handles on electric vehicles (EVs) over safety concerns, becoming the first country to do so. Starting January 1, 2027, cars sold must have a mechanical release on both the inside and outside of every door, except the boot, according to new rules from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The outside handle must have a recessed space of at least 6cm by 2cm by 2.5cm. Inside, signs at least 1cm by 0.7cm must show how to open the door. Hidden handles, popularized by Tesla and found in about 60% of China’s top 100 new energy vehicles (NEVs), will no longer be allowed. Currently, hidden door handles are common in China's EV, hybrid, and fuel cell market. Cars already approved for the Chinese market have two more years to change their designs. The ban comes after deadly crashes in China linked to power failures, including two fatal Xiaomi EV accidents where doors could not be opened. Safety watchdogs worldwide are examining such designs. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is probing Tesla's door handles after reports of sudden failures that trapped passengers. NHTSA said it received nine complaints about Tesla Model Y handles in 2021, with four owners breaking windows to get out. Though these new rules apply only to China, the country’s car market size may influence global EV design trends. Tesla and others will likely feel the impact as they adapt to strict safety standards.