China, the world's largest electric vehicle market, has begun to curb the proliferation of innovative technologies. Safety regulations have been introduced regarding embedded door handles that make swift escape difficult in the event of an accident. Additionally, there is growing criticism of overly large displays that distract drivers and the term "autonomous driving," which can lead drivers to take their hands off the wheel altogether, suggesting that the scope of regulation is set to widen. Analysts suggest that the Chinese automotive industry, which was caught up in "innovation supremacy," is returning to its core principle of safety.
According to the Chinese newspaper Fengpai on the 14th, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is currently collecting opinions on a project to establish and revise compulsory national standards for "automobile door handle safety technology requirements." The main goal is to ensure that the vehicle door system can be opened even in cases of power failure or collision accidents. The regulations also include that safety markings for embedded handles and touch handles should be easily identifiable. Embedded handles are designed to hide inside and pop out when needed. Fengpai noted, "It feels like a 'pause' button has been pressed on chaotic innovation."
The Chinese authorities have started regulating automobile door handles because of a series of electric vehicle accidents. In March, a Xiaomi electric vehicle, the "SU7," exploded after crashing into a guardrail on a highway in Anhui Province. Three passengers died in this accident, and relatives of the victims claim that the doors were locked immediately after the collision, preventing them from escaping. In April of last year, a joint project between Huawei and Seres resulted in the original model "M7" being involved in an accident in Shaanxi Province, where the loss of power inside the vehicle caused the doors to fail to open in time, leading to the deaths of three passengers.
With the many brands of electric vehicles in China, the designs are highly varied. There are numerous types of embedded handles; some involve pushing a specific part to make the opposite side pop out for opening. In some designs, the handle automatically emerges when unlocked, while others have systems that detect touches on certain parts of the handle. In discussing the reasons for choosing such designs, He Xiaopeng, chairman of the Chinese electric vehicle corporation Xpeng, has said that "(embedded handles) offer better resistance to wind and make the vehicle look more high-tech."
Following this regulation, there are expectations that various innovative technologies within the Chinese electric vehicle industry that do not ensure safety will enter a stage of refinement. Fengpai commented, "On the surface, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's regulations on handles may seem like mere technical corrections, but in reality, it targets the 'black tech' (innovative technology) of new energy vehicles (electric cars, hydrogen cars, hybrid cars)," adding that "new energy vehicles are returning to the essence of the automotive industry, which is safety and pragmatism."
Regulatory needs for large displays inside vehicles, including door handles, have also been increasingly raised in China. Displays are no longer limited to the middle between the driver and passenger seat but are often installed across the entire front seat area. These displays can reach up to 45 inches in size. Fengpai pointed out that "large screens without real buttons have lower operational convenience," stating that "if the voice recognition function is not accurate, the driver needs to turn their head and continuously tap the large screen, which is as dangerous as texting while driving."
The inclusion of the term "autonomous driving" in the regulations follows the same context. Most of the autonomous driving technologies installed in Chinese electric vehicles are at level 2, meaning the driver must always keep their hands on the wheel. These systems should be used as driving aids; however, the term "autonomous driving" can lead drivers to neglect their responsibilities, ultimately causing accidents. Currently, major Chinese electric vehicle corporations, including BYD, Li Auto, Xiaomi, NIO, and Xpeng, have altered their promotional language for autonomous driving systems to "assisted driving." While explicit regulations have yet to be introduced, it has been reported that relevant authorities have requested changes in terminology from each corporation.
Chinese media Xin Jing Bao noted, "Many (automobile) manufacturers prioritize sales and, intentionally or unintentionally, are neglecting safety and practicality in the process," adding that "pursuing technological aesthetics is not inherently bad, but caution is required. Regulatory authorities must take timely action."