Motoring expert advises drivers to avoid ‘one tech | Tech News
The expert has had his say (Image: Getty)
A shopper motoring specialist has warned drivers about digital door-opening systems, arguing they’ll create pointless risk.
In an opinion article on Which?, Michael Passingham stated the characteristic is the one bit of in-car tech he’s decided not to have on his subsequent vehicle. Passingham, who says he intentionally avoids vehicles fitted with the systems, admitted: “Personally, I simply wouldn’t buy a car with an electric door opening system.”
The motoring expert joined the patron champion in 2017 and now works as a senior researcher on its Cars workforce, with a deal with enhancing security and equity for each motorists and pedestrians.
Standard door
Passingham says electric door-opening systems use power-controlled buttons or sensors as an alternative of a conventional bodily deal with, that means a loss of energy could make it more durable to open the door, notably in an emergency.
He writes: “On a standard car door, the handles physically unlatch it. However, electric opening systems use buttons or sensors – requiring electricity – to unlatch the door from either the inside, outside or both.
“In the occasion of energy failure, this could lead to doorways changing into seemingly inconceivable to open, which is a potential nightmare for anyone trapped inside or a first responder trying to gain entry.
“Yes, there’s usually a manual release, but in my experience, they can be extremely hard to find in everyday use, let alone in a safety-critical situation.”
The 2027 ban
Passingham famous: “In February, China announced a ban for this tech on new cars, following accident reports in which failed door handles made rescues more difficult.”
The BBC reported in February 2026 that China turned the primary nation to ban hidden door handles on electric autos. They then defined: “It comes as EVs are facing scrutiny from safety watchdogs around the world after a number of deadly incidents, including two fatal crashes in China involving Xiaomi EVs in which power failures were suspected to have prevented doors from being opened.
“Under the new laws, vehicles will solely be allowed to be offered if they’ve a mechanical release each on the inside and outdoors of their doorways, in accordance to state media.
“The new rules are due to take effect on January 1, 2027.”
RAC consultants
At the time, motoring consultants at RAC defined: “One of the world’s largest manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs) is set to ban the production of hidden door handles in new models due to safety concerns.
“Commonly seen in lots of EVs out there internationally, all new fashions will now have mechanical inside and exterior door handles. Car boots can nonetheless have hidden deal with releases.”
It also confirmed the 2027 ban, noting there have been several examples worldwide of EV crashes in which electronic, hidden door handles reportedly failed to open. “This has then led to drivers and passengers being trapped inside – and in some instances dying within the vehicle.”
RAC added: “Hidden door deal with technology is seen in lots of EVs on UK roads, the place the doorways may be opened with a key fob, cell phone app, or by manually urgent them to release the mechanism.”
This means: “As half of the Chinese Government’s new strategy, they’ve set strict guidelines for the place door handles are positioned within the autos, in addition to how they need to work – regardless of the sort of vehicle.”
China’s Ministry of Industry said that from the start of 2027 all newly launched vehicle models must comply with the updated door-handle standards, while models already approved will be required to meet the rules by 2029.
You can learn Passingham’s full opinion piece right here.
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