China moves to ban feature commonly seen on Tesla vehicles over fear of trapped passengers

Core Viewpoint - China has implemented new safety regulations that will ban hidden, electronically activated door handles in vehicles, requiring mechanical releases instead, effective January 1, 2027 [1][5]. Group 1: Regulatory Changes - The new regulations mandate that each vehicle door, excluding the tailgate, must have a manually-released external door handle and a mechanical release on the interior [2]. - China is the first country to enforce such a ban, which aims to enhance vehicle safety following incidents where power failures left occupants trapped [5]. Group 2: Industry Impact - The ruling is expected to influence both domestic and foreign automakers, as it sets a precedent for safety standards that may affect global norms for electric vehicles (EVs) [6]. - The move reflects China's transition from being the largest EV market to a rule-setter for vehicle technology regulations [6]. Group 3: Safety Concerns - High-profile incidents involving power failures in vehicles, including those from Xiaomi, have prompted the need for these new safety measures [5]. - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has previously opened a defect investigation into Tesla Model 3's emergency door release controls, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in the industry [8][11].