China bans Tesla door handles: New design to be implemented starting in 2027

Tesla 's electric door handles, which were introduced with the Model S series in 2012, are banned in China due to safety concerns.

Chinese regulators are considering removing this system from the industry entirely due to the high failure rates and risks associated with the built-in design.

One-fifth of its income came from China

According to a report in the Independent, if new restrictions come into effect, mechanical door handles will be mandatory on all new vehicles sold in China starting in July 2027. For Tesla, which generated more than a fifth of its revenue from China last year, the decision means redesigning its door handles.

Electric door handles extend when the vehicle is unlocked and retract when the vehicle is in motion. However, according to tests by the China Insurance Automotive Technology Research Institute (C-IASI), this system fails 33 percent of the time in side collisions. Mechanical handles fail only 2 percent of the time.

Passengers Trapped Inside

According to data from one electric vehicle manufacturer, door handle malfunctions account for 12 percent of total repairs. There have also been numerous reports of passengers trapped inside vehicles due to short circuits.

This situation is reportedly posing a serious obstacle for rescue teams. Tesla CEO Elon Musk insisted on this design despite initial objections from executives, emphasizing that door handles are "a part of the future." However, Chinese experts note that the aerodynamic benefits are limited and the safety risks are quite high.