Over the past week, hidden car door handles and the streamlined styles frequently seen on electric cars (EVs) have gained attention. That came after China declared the largest automobile recall in its history, affecting over four million vehicles, the majority of which were Teslas. The recall coincides with new rules in China mandating that automobiles have a mechanical release on both the inside and outside of their doors.
This kind of nickname is now widely used worldwide thanks to Elon Musk’s massive electric vehicle company. However, several cases have raised concerns that this design could make doors difficult to open in an emergency. Approximately 60% of the top 100 best-selling new energy vehicles in China, including EVs and hybrids, have hidden door handles. “Even I often find it difficult to locate the switch to open the door from the inside of an unfamiliar vehicle,” Shanghai-based car industry analyst Stephen Dyer of consultancy AlixPartners told the BBC, adding that although the minimalist design gives cars a “sleek look and reduces wind drag,” it can be confusing to use.
Beyond their practicality, however, the handles have been accused of putting drivers’ and passengers’ lives in jeopardy. According to Lyu Chen, an associate professor at Nanyang Technological University, electronically driven door handles grew popular in the business but caused “real safety concerns” when doors failed to open quickly, delaying rescue efforts following accidents. A door handle may appear straightforward, but in the moments following a collision, it becomes crucial for safety, according to Chen. After two tragic collisions involving its SU7 vehicle in 2025, in which suspected electrical failures allegedly locked occupants inside, Chinese automaker Xiaomi came under heavy criticism.
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