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China Bans Retractable EV Door Handles Over Safety Concerns
(www.sixthtone.com)
Sounds sensible to me.
Why are these even a thing to begin with? Do they offer any material benefit over a regular mechanical handle? It seems like a pretty substantial failure point to introduce for something purely aesthetic.
I’ve heard it’s about aerodynamics but I can’t imagine either a divot for the underside of the handle or even a handle sticking out entirely makes THAT much range difference.
Ya, it doesn’t. It’s purely a marketing gimmick.
Door handles can be a big aero disruptor. But there are door handles that are more aerodynamic. I think Aston Martin (used to?) use one that is flush until you press the front with your thumb. Then the handle pivots out so you can pull it. That would give the same benefits as a retracting door handle.
That sounds like Tesla door handles?
because elon musk , tesla started doing it, he said something along the lines it doesnt look cool.
It's weird seeing a government regulate something for the betterment of society and its citizens. I didn't know that happened anymore.
Are you a tankie /s
Communist China Gov. also banned Human Rights Layers!
Wake-up!
Why the limit of 3.5 tons?
I guess vehicles above that weight aren't considers 'cars'
In Singapore you can only drive a vehicles of 3,000KG or less with a car driving licence.
I suppose it's similar in China
I believe it could've come from the same root, probably USSR. Russia too has a 3,5 tons line to divide between driving licenses' tiers.
Separate regulations for different vehicle classes
The Chinese? The goddanm Chinese figured this out first? This is a new low for the state of regulations in the EU.
The good place where Jason's the one
Our new Equinox EV has the retractable handles, but you can always push in on the pivot side to reveal the handle. This allows the doors to open normally when the handle can't be retracted.
God someone should ban that shit, i fucking hate how janky handles are now. Why make something so much worse for no benefit???
Well done China. Thank you for the influence this will have on car makers and regulators worldwide.
Not sure why this would be a ban as long as they can be manually manipulated while "closed". Push/pop kinda deal.
Yeah, thats the problem. Several car makers can't be manually manipulated when closed, especially when the battery is disconnected.
Right, which is why I'm surprised the solution is posited as "no more recessed door handles" rather than "failsafe mechanical mechanism". Either something is missing here, there was a failure of imagination from the author, or it was disingenuous framing.
this post was submitted on 26 Dec 2025
240 points (100.0% liked)
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