"The tech-forward Tesla Model S slipped onto the scene in 2012 with dazzling flush-mounted door handles that popped out whenever the car was unlocked. Fast forward more than a decade, and self-retracting, electronic door handles are now ubiquitous-and kind of a calling card for electric vehicles. Perhaps manufacturers wanted to replicate Tesla's success by emulating the coolest parts of its products."
"For automakers and techno-geek customers, they're the pinnacle of tech-a quick way for manufacturers to make a kind of ordinary car feel futuristic, while also reducing drag and improving efficiency. For some drivers though, they're just a pain. It's not uncommon for people to complain about the reliability and usability of the handles themselves. Recently, they've come under heavy criticism by some regulatory boards in different countries, as some deeply question whether they're necessary at all."
Chinese regulators are preparing to ban fully concealed exterior door handles, which would require visible exterior handles or accessible mechanical releases. The move follows draft rules that cars must have a clearly marked mechanical interior release, not only an electronic button. Hidden, self-retracting handles were popularized by Tesla's Model S in 2012 and have become common on electric vehicles for aerodynamic and aesthetic benefits. Many drivers report reliability and usability problems with such handles. Safety concerns include potential difficulties for first responders. Automakers selling in China would need to redesign affected models to comply.
Read at InsideEVs
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