(Cth) Require New Vehicles with Electronic Door Releases to Have Mechanical Overrides
Author: Gowri Haarshini Rajmohan, Ridhima Saroya, Catherine Wilde, Elly Lau, Krishi Patel, Ishaan Jivani, Lucy Leutchford, Blake Allan, Kirari Azeri, Mutya Murphy, Dinda Kandeline, Matthew Tormey & Pichtevy Orn | Publish date: 12/11/2026
P: In Australia, a vehicle’s side doors are not required to have a manual door release in case of electrical power failure.
S: The Minister for Infrastructure and Transport should introduce a clause in the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 2/01 – Side Door Latches and Hinges) 2006 (Cth) to require simple emergency egress and external access via all side doors without electrical power for new vehicles.
E: Carla Hoorweg, CEO of Australasian New Car Assessment Program (2026): ‘The regulation should ensure emergency egress is simple and available for all side doors [when electrical power fails]’.
Problem Identification:
Clause 2.2 of the Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 2/01 – Side Door Latches and Hinges) 2006 (Cth) (ADR) requires each hinged door system to be equipped with at least one primary door latch system ‘capable of withstanding’ specified load and inertial force tests. However, Claudia Ainsley of Emu Money reported the ADR ‘do[es] not specifically address electric-only handles.’
According to the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), this creates a ‘regulatory loophole’, as without a requirement for manual overrides, occupants may be unable to ‘exit the vehicle [with electric door handles] in the event of an emergency.’ Associate Professor Milad Haghani, Principal Fellow in Urban Risk and Resilience, stated that due to these ‘unsafe doors,’ ‘Australia could find itself on the receiving end of outdated car designs’.
Context:
According to the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (Cth), all vehicles supplied to the Australian market must comply with the ADR.
An electronic door release refers to a door-opening system ‘powered by the vehicle’s … battery’ rather than by a direct mechanical linkage. Carla Hoorweg, CEO of ANCAP, stated that electric door handles are ‘not just limited to EVs [electric vehicles]’ as ‘petrol and hybrid cars are heading in this direction’. Alexandra Lawrence, editor at Carsales, explained that ‘if a vehicle’s … battery dies or … becomes disconnected following an impact,’ occupants may be unable to open the door.
As such, Lawrence stated that a manual door release ‘provid[es] … occupants with a means of exiting the vehicle via a secondary manual handle or cable.’ For example, Tesla stated that to operate a manual door release drivers can ‘pull up the manual door release located in front of the window switches.’
Arguments:
Catie McLeod of The Guardian reported ‘several deadly high-profile accidents … in which power failings saw people trapped inside the vehicle’. Tesla acknowledged in August 2026 that a ‘severe collision … could hinder occupants from quickly opening the doors to escape and impede rescue efforts by those outside the vehicle, posing a safety hazard’. Further, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration detailed an EV collision in November 2025, where total loss of electrical power resulted in the electronic handles not working. The driver reported being forced to ‘exit the vehicle through a rear passenger window’ because ‘the emergency egress controls for the mechanical door release [were] not readily accessible’. Lyu Chen from Nanyang Technological University stated in August 2026 that ‘when doors fail to open promptly, [it] delay[s] rescue efforts after accidents’.
Haghani reported, ‘if Australia fails to respond swiftly to changing safety standards, it risks becoming a market where car designs no longer acceptable in [other countries] could keep being sold here’ and becoming a ‘“dumping” ground’. After China mandated manual door releases, the Australian Automotive Dealers Association highlighted that Australia could risk becoming a destination for undesirable stock dumping, which can escalate into ‘a larger problem for the local automotive industry.’ They warned that ‘if manufacturers redirect large volumes of stock here, that can create pressure throughout the supply chain and leave dealers holding vehicles that don’t necessarily align with Australian consumer preferences.’ Sanjoy Paul and Priyabrata Chowdhury explained, in an article for The Conversation, that this is especially pertinent as ‘about 80% of EVs sold in Australia … are manufactured in China.’
Advice/Solution Identification:
ANCAP and Chris Jones from Australian Electric Vehicle Association have called for all new vehicles with electronic door handle releases to be fitted with mechanical overrides. ANCAP noted that this could help ‘occupants … easily exit the vehicle in the event of an emergency.’
Precedent:
There is domestic and international precedent for requiring powered vehicle door handles to be manually operable. In Australia, it is required that power-operated doors on vehicles with more than an 18-person capacity (e.g. buses) have an internal and external manual release. China adopted a national standard requiring mechanical releases on electric-powered passenger-vehicle doors from 2027 onwards.
Public Support of the Solution:
(This list reflects publicly stated positions and should not necessarily be taken as endorsement of this specific brief.)
Broad Support:
Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) - The AADA commissioned an independent report by Emeritus Professor Jenny Buchan which warned that ‘Australia should not ignore the risk of stock dumping following China’s approach to [vehicles] with flush door handles.’ However, the report addressed consumer rights and market risk rather than vehicle safety standards, and did not explicitly call for an amendment to the Australian Design Rules.
Associate Professor Milad Haghani (University of Melbourne) - Haghani stated that ‘Australia could find itself on the receiving end of outdated car designs if its own safety fails to keep pace.’ However, he did not specify which instrument should be amended or explicitly call for legislative change.
News Coverage:
BBC - “Why Tesla has been caught up in a massive car recall in China”. This article reported that Tesla and several Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, including Xiaomi, XPeng and Geely, are recalling over four million vehicles in China due to safety hazards associated with hidden or electronic door handles. By: Osmond Chia | 26 Aug 2026 - Read the article here.
The Conversation - “As China bans new cars with unsafe doors, Australia risks becoming a ‘dumping’ ground”. This article reported that Australia should not ignore the risk of manufacturers offloading non-compliant stock into less-regulated markets once China's rules take effect. By: Milad Haghani | 27 July 2026 - Read the article here.
Carscoops - “Trapped Driver Died After Xiaomi’s Electronic Doors Reportedly Failed”. This article reported that a 31-year-old driver died after becoming trapped inside the burning vehicle due to the failure of its electronic door system. By: Brad Anderson | 26 February 2026 - Read the article here.
CarExpert - “ANCAP calls for Australian ban on door handles used by Tesla, BYD and others”. This article reported ANCAP’s CEO had called for Australian regulators to close a “regulatory loophole” on electric door handles, and noted Australia had joined a UN working group formed in June 2025 to review door-opening mechanisms in emergencies. By: Damion Smy | 12 February 2026 - Read the article here.
Chasing Cars - “New Chinese regulations could see the end of flush door handles”. This article reported that China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has introduced new vehicle design regulations set to take effect on January 1, 2027. This could effectively phase out flush and electronic door handles on new vehicles sold in China and impact international markets like Australia. By: Lukas Foyle | February 2026 - Read the article here.
Where to go to learn more:
(2026) Car door design quizzed | Neil Dowling - This article reported on ANCAP’s statement that the government should modify legislation on door release systems. The article quoted Carla Hoorweg, who recommended ‘regulation should ensure emergency egress is simple and available for all side doors.’ Read the article here.
(2026) China has banned hidden retractable car door handles. How are they dangerous – and what will Australia do? | Catie McLeod - This article discussed China’s changing regulations and the implications for Australia. The article quoted Chris Jones, who stated, ‘I think there is a perfectly reasonable case to mandate a manual mechanism on both inside and outside the vehicle for front and rear doors’. Read the article here.
(2026) What’s new from 2026? | ANCAP - This factsheet identified how manual overrides for all side door handles can enable immediate accessibility after a crash. ANCAP stated ‘they’ll also need to … provide a manual override, so that occupants can exit, or first-responders can gain access inside the vehicle after a crash.’ Read the factsheet here.
(2025) The hidden dangers of power-operated car doors | Alexandra Lawrence - This article reported on the safety risks of power-operated car doors, highlighting how the manual emergency release is missing or difficult to locate in cars with this feature. Read the article here.
(2026) Operation of the Australian Consumer Law and the Franchising Code of Conduct in the New Car Market | Emeritus Professor Jenny Buchan - This report discussed how the Australian Consumer Law and the Franchising Code of Conduct govern the supply of new cars in Australia. It discussed the challenges of electric-powered door handles. Read the report here.
Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 2/01 – Side Door Latches and Hinges) 2006 (Cth) - Read the full Act here.
Human Perspective:
CW: Car crash
Jared was driving his 2 children, Janice, 3 years old, and Jack, 7 years old, home after a long day in the park in his electric sedan when, out of nowhere, a kangaroo jumped in front of them. Trying to avoid a collision, Jared swerved out of the way and straight into a nearby tree. The impact cut power to the electric doors, trapping Jared and his children inside. A few minutes later, the front of the car burst into flames. Unable to find the emergency manual release, Jared panicked and crawled into the back seat to protect his children from the encroaching flames, convinced that this was the end. Firefighters and emergency responders rushed to the scene. However, without the emergency release, first responders struggled to get the doors unlocked, unable to even pull the flush door handles. Eventually they managed to smash the windows and pull the whole family free. They escaped, but at the cost of smoke inhalation, burns, and minor fractures. Reflecting on the car accident that nearly took his whole family, Jared wished that his car came with more obvious emergency releases or some way for responders to open the door from the outside. Maybe then, Jared thought, his family could have been spared the hospital treatment for horrific burns and the lasting trauma of being trapped in a burning car.
To protect the anonymity of those involved, this is a fictionalised account drawn from an amalgamation of real-life stories, experiences and testimonials gathered during the research process for this brief. Any resemblance to actual individuals is purely coincidental.
Conflict of interest/acknowledgment statement:
N/A.
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Reference list:
Ainsley, C. (2026, July 27). China Is Banning a Car Door Handle Australia Will Keep Importing. Emu Money. https://emumoney.com.au/news/20260727-china-door-handle-ban-australia-vehicle-standardsTrapped Driver Died After Xiaomi’s Electronic Doors Reportedly Failed
Chia, O. (2026, August 24). Nearly three million Teslas recalled in China over hidden door handles. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g6ggdg030o
Chowdhury, P., & Paul, S. (2024, July 4). Chinese electric vehicles are transforming Australia's car market. Are we getting a good deal? The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/chinese-electric-vehicles-are-transforming-australias-car-market-are-we-getting-a-good-deal-232829
Code of China. (2026). Safety technical requirements for automotive door handle [English translation]. https://www.codeofchina.com/standard/GB48001-2026.html
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Dowling, N. (2026, August 4). Car door design quizzed. GoAutoNews Premium. https://premium.goauto.com.au/car-door-design-quizzed/
Haghani, M. (2026, July 27). As China bans new cars with unsafe doors, Australia risks becoming a ‘dumping’ ground. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/as-china-bans-new-cars-with-unsafe-doors-australia-risks-becoming-a-dumping-ground-287766
Lawrence, A. (2025, February 11). The hidden dangers of power-operated car doors. Carsales. https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/the-hidden-dangers-of-power-operated-car-doors-148647/
Lawrence, A. (2025, February 12). Exclusive: ANCAP to test power-operated car doors from 2026. Carsales. https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/exclusive-ancap-to-test-power-operated-car-doors-from-2026-148659/
McCready, A. (2026, February 3). China to ban hidden car door handles on all EVs over crash safety concerns. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/03/china-to-ban-hidden-car-door-handles-evs
McLeod, C. (2026, August 2). China has banned hidden retractable car door handles. How are they dangerous – and what will Australia do? The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/02/china-has-banned-hidden-retractable-car-door-handles-how-are-they-dangerous-and-will-australia-follow-their-lead
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2026). Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition. Federal Register. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/24/2026-15010/denial-of-motor-vehicle-defect-petition
Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (Cth). https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2018A00163/latest/text
Tesla. (2024). Opening Doors with No Power. https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/model3/en_us/GUID-A7A60DC7-E476-4A86-9C9C-10F4A276AB8B.html#
Vehicle Standard (Australian Design Rule 2/01 – Side Door Latches and Hinges) 2006 (Cth). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2006L01362/2016-09-21/2016-09-21/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html
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