China’s regulatory agency overseeing automotive standards has recently released a draft outlining proposed guidelines for door handle designs on vehicles, prompted by scrutiny of Tesla’s designs. This follows recent criticisms of Tesla’s door handles in both China and the United States, necessitating the company to devise solutions and potential engineering adjustments.
Tesla’s Chief Designer, Franz von Holzhausen, acknowledged the need for modifications during an interview on Bloomberg, indicating that the company is exploring ways to integrate mechanical and electrical releases for the door handles. Some Tesla models already feature mechanical latches on all doors to enable manual opening in case of a dead battery, but further enhancements are required.
The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has drafted a document titled “Technical Requirements for Automobile Door Handle Safety,” laying out the initial guidelines for standard door handle designs. These guidelines include mandatory mechanical releases on all doors except the trunk, as well as requirements for easy external door handle operation without tools.
The MIIT has outlined six key guidelines under consideration for implementation, including the necessity for mechanical release functionality on all doors, the ability to open non-collision side doors externally in emergency situations, and specific dimensions for hand operation space on external handles. The aim is to enhance safety and accessibility in vehicle door handle designs.
These standards were developed in collaboration with the China Automotive Standardization Research Institute, leveraging data from 63 vehicle models to establish the requirements. Deputy Director Rong Hui emphasized the importance of adapting to evolving technologies and safety needs in the automotive industry.
In response to these proposed standards, Tesla has announced plans to adjust its door handle designs by combining mechanical and electrical releases to alleviate stress in emergency scenarios. Franz von Holzhausen expressed confidence in the proposed solution, emphasizing the integration of electronic and manual release mechanisms in a single button for improved usability.
As Tesla and other automakers navigate these evolving regulatory requirements, the focus remains on enhancing safety and convenience for vehicle occupants. The proposed changes in door handle designs reflect a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in automotive engineering.