The world's second-largest economy and major electric car maker is to ban hidden door handles, a common feature on electric vehicles (EVs).

China will ban hidden door handles from next year, making it the first country to do so.

Instead, cars must have a mechanical release function for handles, except for car boots, according to details released by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

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It's doing so to address safety concerns after EV accidents where electronic doors reportedly failed to operate and trapped passengers inside.

Last year, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into some of Tesla's door ‍release controls.

Hidden door handles open with a key fob, mobile phone ⁠or by manually pressing them.

The design was pioneered by electric vehicle company Tesla and adopted by Chinese competitors.

What's changing?

Under China's new safety technical ‌requirements, every car door should be equipped with both exterior and interior handles with mandatory mechanical releases.

The policy also sets out rules for where handles must be located ‍and how they should function so they can be opened in an emergency. Interior handles must also be clearly ‌visible.

New vehicle models must comply with the latest door handle ⁠design regulation from 1 January ‌2027, while approved models will come in scope on 1 January 2029, the ministry said.

Tesla has been contacted for comment.