Posted on 02/02/2026 8:23:06 PM PST by BenLurkin
China has banned hidden door handles on electric vehicles (EVs), making it the first country to stop the use of the controversial designs that were made popular by multi-billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla.
It comes as EVs are facing scrutiny from safety watchdogs around the world after a number of deadly incidents, including two fatal crashes in China involving Xiaomi EVs in which power failures were suspected to have prevented doors from being opened.
Under the new regulations, cars will only be allowed to be sold if they have a mechanical release both on the inside and outside of their doors, according to state media.
The new rules are due to take effect on 1 January 2027.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology rules require the outside of every passenger door except the boot, to have a recessed space measuring no smaller than 6cm (2 in) by 2cm by 2.5cm to allow access to the handle.
Inside the car there must be signs measuring at least 1cm by 0.7cm to show how to open the door.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
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You know, the ChiComs kinda have a point on this one. It’s basic safety for emergency situations for door handles to not be overly complicated.
Yeah. No.
can you manually open a tesla door if the power is out?
AI Overview
Yes, you can manually open a Tesla door when the power is out using the emergency release handles . For front doors, pull up the manual release lever located in front of the window switches. For rear doors, you may need to remove a mat or cover in the door pocket to access a manual cable.can you manually open a tesla door from the outside of the power is out?
AI Overview
Yes, you can manually open a Tesla door from the outside when power is out, but primarily on front doors . For Model 3/Y/Cybertruck, front door handles have a hidden mechanical release, while rear doors generally lack an external manual option, requiring access through the front.
If I owned a Tesla I would know as much as possible as it was to know about the device.
I read owners manuals before I operate any device I purchase (if it has one)
The last time I bought a new car I read the owners manual several times over several days.
Unfortunately I doubt most people do that, and I don’t know if those Tesla things come with a paper manual.
It’s hidden and not at all apparent to anyone who doesn’t do a deep dive into Tesla features. And there is no owners manual, it’s on line in it’s dash computer.
There have been deaths when someone couldn’t get out. It’s even harder when you are injured or the car is burning.
The Chicoms are right on this one.
But no hidden door handles is not exactly opening the door to communism.
It's quite possible that a good Samaritan trying desperately to open a door to rescue a person trapped in a burning Tesla has never read the Tesla manual either.
When they talk about “a hidden mechanical release,” I’m not sure it’s quite the “yeah, no” flex that you think it is. “Hidden” isn’t the greatest feature in an emergency.
How quickly can someone in a panic open these devices vs a traditional door handle?
Thanks. Yeah, no, I do seem have misunderstood “yeah no.”
0:00 - Intro
0:34 - The Pony
1:08 - Death of Smart
5:02 - Autonomy
7:07 - The drive
8:27 - The reactions
11:33 - Supercharging
13:42 - Final thoughtsDriving China's Cheapest EV in the U.S. Explains Everything | 14:20
Kim Java | 297K subscribers | 230,944 views | January 10, 2026
Range Rover and the new 2027 Kia Telluride have hidden handles. I assume this would apply to them as well.
“You know, the ChiComs kinda have a point on this one. It’s basic safety for emergency situations for door handles to not be overly complicated.”
Say what you will about China, but they were the first country to ground the 737 Max when its avionics were smashing their planes into the ground. (the FAA then followed within 24 hours, I think)
“If I owned a Tesla I would know as much as possible as it was to know about the device.”
How about if you’re a 20 year old chick, who stuck inside Tick-Tock, riding in a friend’s Telsa? Or anyone else who doesn’t own the car, for that matter?
“But no hidden door handles is not exactly opening the door to communism.”
What does open the door to Communism is DEMANDING that everyone drive EVs, when there is no practical reason for that. At least in China, they have a REAL pollution problem to deal with, at least in the eastern half of their country, so pushing the pollution elsewhere makes some sense.
When does Tick Tock become more than just an app?
When you’re trapped inside a burning Tesla.
The Red Chinese are very concerned about living people. /
On this topic I agree with the commies. I just hate electric automatic locking doors. There is just too much electronic crap in modern vehicles to the point they are not fun to drive.
I just hate getting into our 2018 F150 for all the stupid noises, messages and warnings that go off. Some of my least favorite notifications are “Engine Is On”. If a driver is so stupid they don’t know the engine is one they should not be driving. Another is “Oil Change Required”. That notification cannot be turned off until the battery is disconnected and then reconnected due to a bug in the computer.
Newer vehicles have got to be worse.
We have a 1997 Silverado. Our favorite vehicle. Just get in it and drive in comfort and relaxation.
Can people really be so stupid as to build a car that can lock you inside with no way of getting out?
Yes they can.
The main problem I see with that is if you are trapped in a crash and are unconscious.
A bystander will have no clue how to get you out.
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