In recent years, flush-fitting retractable door handles They've become a hallmark of many high-end electric cars. They provide a clean aesthetic and promise superior aerodynamics, but the debate has shifted: China plans to ban them starting in 2027. and the reasons go far beyond the merely aesthetic.
The discussion stems from an uncomfortable reality: the supposed aerodynamic benefit is much more modest than what was sold, while security risks in emergencies have come to light with compelling data. Between official tests, technical reports, and real-life experiences, Retractable handles are called into question for its reliability and its behavior after a crash.
Why they are liked and what they (really) contribute
From Tesla to premium European brands, these handles became popular because clean the design and minimally reduce dragThat futuristic look fits perfectly with electric vehicles and helps sell modernity, something many customers value almost as much as autonomy.
Although the aerodynamic narrative was tempting, the figures are stubborn: according to SAE engineers, the real improvement in the drag coefficient (Cd) is around only 0,005–0,01 points, far from the 0,03 Cd that some brands have suggested. In terms of consumption, we are talking about approximately 0,6 kWh per 100 km, that is, a few cents per trip charging at home.
This tiny saving comes with tangible benefits: the electrical mechanisms and their wiring add between 7 and 8 kg together, they make the system more expensive (up to three more times than a traditional lever) and its reliability has raised alarm bells among manufacturers with many electrics in their portfolio.
It's important to distinguish between types. There are flush lever handles, which emerge when one end is pressed, and others that are completely flush. electrified with servomotors These automatically deploy when you approach the car with the key, unlock the car, or press a button. These latter are the most problematic when the power fails.
The list of models that have resorted to these solutions is extensive: Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach‑E, Range Rover, Mercedes EQS and EQE, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6 or Chinese proposals BYD and NIO, among others. Design language has pushed hard, but regulators have begun to demand accountability.
The security angle: failures, rescues and statistics
Beyond comfort, the crux is in the safety during and after an accidentWhen there's an impact, a fire, or a simple power outage, a shooter dependent on electricity may not deploy. And that's where the problem begins: Every second counts to evacuate occupants or provide access to emergency equipment.
The tests of China Insurance Automotive Safety Index (C‑IASI) are the knock. After side collisions, cars with electronic handles opened their doors correctly only in the 67% of cases, in front of 98% than traditional mechanical levers achieved. The difference is not minor; it is the type of gap that in real rescues translates into lost time and added risk.
Added to this is the experience of workshops and manufacturers: there are brands that have reported that these shooters concentrated up to 12% of repairs in its electric fleet, with a failure rate up to eight times higher to that of conventional solutions. In cold climates, many setbacks have also been seen due to freezing, and in episodes of intense rain or flooding they have appeared short circuits and blockages.
El German ADAC, a member of Euro NCAP, has raised its voice warning that fully flush, motor-dependent door handles can make it difficult to open from the outside after an impact, when the car runs out of power and the handles do not emerge. Although automatic post-accident unlocking is verified in European crash tests, the entity recalls that in real incidents they have arisen problematic cases that should not be ignored.
One of the most cited episodes was that of the driver of a Tesla Model S died in 2019 in Bethesda, USA, whose car caught fire after the crash. Officers were unable to open the doors in time, and the family claimed the design of the handles contributed to prevent accessIt's an extreme case, yes, but it serves as a warning about what can happen if everything depends on electricity.
As if that were not enough, several sources in China have described delays in evacuations by frozen handles, occupants trapped after floods and drivers who were forced to break a window to go out. There has also been an increase in 47% in incidents linked to failures of these devices and a rise in 132% in complaints by children's fingers caught in the mechanisms.
Inside the cabin, many cars with electric handles have a mechanical emergency drive, but it is not always visible or intuitive. Bloomberg reported that many rear seat passengers They don't know how to locate it nor operate it quickly, which in critical moments is a serious handicap.
The ADAC recommends that manufacturers ensure a form clearly mechanical to extend the handles from the outside after a crash, and for owners to familiarize themselves with emergency releases. It is even suggested to carry a small glass-breaking hammer, although we have to be realistic: against laminated crystals It is not always effective.
Regulation and industry response
The world's largest automobile market has decided to make a move. China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is working on a rule that will ban the fully concealed shooters on new cars from julio de 2027, with a one-year transition period. The door is open to traditional designs and semi-retractable, provided they have a mechanical backup that guarantees opening even if the electricity fails.
It is not a minor nuance. Develop and standardize two different systems for different markets is expensive and complex, so a veto in China usually precipitates changes globalIf the MIIT upholds the text as it stands, it's quite possible that manufacturers will opt to eliminate these levers worldwide to simplify platforms and cut costs.
In parallel, Europe has also placed limits on certain excesses. From 2026, Euro NCAP will penalize interiors that relegate vital functions to touchscreens without physical controls, an approach China had already promoted for essential systems. The philosophy is clear: ergonomics and safety first, minimalism later.
Some brands were already one step ahead. Volkswagen and Audi have opted for semi-flush solutions with cables or mechanical pullers Emergency. The Audi Q6 e‑tron, for example, includes a red safety cord that allows it to be opened manually after an impact. And there's no shortage of those who have been more forceful: Wei Jianjun, CEO of Great Wall Motor, went so far as to call fully retractable door handles “useless and dangerous.”
On the opposite side, there were manufacturers who even they eliminated the shooters external looking for an ultra-clean design. With the new regulatory climate, that approach is seriously questioned: in emergencies, the functionality, not aesthetic purity.
Beyond the shape of the lever, the total cost of ownership also comes into play. These systems are not only more expensive to manufacture; their maintenance and their repairs can multiply, and that ends up affecting both the warranty and the customer satisfaction.
What you can do as a user today
If your car is equipped with electric or flush-mounted door handles, the most sensible thing to do is know the emergency unlocking inside outConsult the manual, locate any hidden levers, cords, or handles, and explain them to your passengers, especially if children are traveling in the back seats.
Also consider wearing a emergency hammer by hand (securely held so that it does not become a projectile in a crash). Use it knowing that it does not work the same against all glass: laminated They are more resistant than tempered ones, so it is advisable not to rely entirely on this tool.
In very cold climates, keep the tires and support areas ice-free and dirt. If the manufacturer offers a preconditioning mode that releases handles before leaving, use it to reduce the likelihood of jams due to freezing.
Beyond the shooters: the lesson this trend teaches
The controversy illustrates a pattern we've seen with other fads: sometimes the industry prioritizes visual impact and marketing over usability. It happened with the rush of touchscreens for everything, with digital mirrors and with some full panoramic roofs that complicate weight and rigidity. China, in fact, has already backtracked on features such as One-Pedal Driving when it detected risks to road safety.
The pendulum begins to return to the center: design yes, but with physical backup When it comes to security, the user experience can't rely on a screen or a little motor for something as basic as open a door after an accident. That's where regulators and laboratories draw the line.
If the Chinese veto is confirmed, we will see fewer cars with completely hidden handles in the dealers from all over the world. There will probably remain semi-retractable solutions with mechanical support, and brands will invest that weight and cost in areas that do contribute real efficiency and tangible security.
What seemed like a "car of the future" detail has ended up revealing its seams. With the C‑IASI data in the hand (67% opening after side impact compared to 98% of mechanical levers), the low aerodynamic impact certified by the SAE (0,005–0,01 Cd and 0,6 kWh/100 km) and the warnings of the ADAC On slower rescues, the balance is clearly tilting. China is pushing towards a design more responsible and the rest of the market is likely to follow, because the important thing here is not that the car looks cleaner, but that continue to open up when it is most needed.
