China will ban retractable car handles beginning Jan. 1, 2027

Under the proposed rules, vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tons must be equipped with interior and exterior car door handles that include a mechanical emergency opening function. The requirement is intended to ensure doors can be opened during power failures or after collisions.

  • underisk@lemmy.ml
    33·
    1 day ago

    Why are these even a thing to begin with? Do they offer any material benefit over a regular mechanical handle? It seems like a pretty substantial failure point to introduce for something purely aesthetic.

    • TheRealKuni@piefed.socialEnglish
      20·
      1 day ago

      I’ve heard it’s about aerodynamics but I can’t imagine either a divot for the underside of the handle or even a handle sticking out entirely makes THAT much range difference.

      • JillyB@beehaw.org
        4·
        21 hours ago

        Door handles can be a big aero disruptor. But there are door handles that are more aerodynamic. I think Aston Martin (used to?) use one that is flush until you press the front with your thumb. Then the handle pivots out so you can pull it. That would give the same benefits as a retracting door handle.

      • HubertManne@piefed.socialEnglish
        4·
        21 hours ago

        that may be it. The aptera does not have one at all and uses a knock to open thing and its main thing and the thing they are super obsesive with is aerodynamics.

          • HubertManne@piefed.socialEnglish
            4·
            18 hours ago

            its history is crazy to. Way back when the guys doing aptera tried to do it as a super fuel efficient gas car. It did not go forward but people got their kickstarter money back which was one thing that made me more excited about the guys in this new one. Funny thing is I think hybrid and electric was kinda one reason it did not go originally. Here is the funny part though. As part of winding down the original they sold the patents to make what they needed to be fair to everyone and went sorta their seperate ways. Its years later and electric cars are a real and working thing, solar panels are way better/cheaper, and they are together and they are like. This would be great for a super electric car. It could run on its own solar power. So they are like. What did places ever do with the patents. They looked them up and found they could buy them back real cheap and whelp. that is how this new itteration came to be.