Volvo EX60 Door-Handle Scrutiny Highlights Regulatory and Safety Risks for EV Hardware Suppliers

EV Co has shared an update. The post highlights emerging safety concerns around Volvo’s upcoming EX60 electric SUV, which features an unconventional door-handle design integrated near the lower edge of the side windows rather than traditional exterior handles. This design choice is drawing scrutiny just ahead of the model’s global debut, particularly as regulators in Europe and the U.S. are already examining electronically actuated and flush door handles following high-profile incidents and lawsuits, notably involving Tesla. Some electronic handle designs have reportedly been banned in China, underscoring regulatory sensitivity.

For investors, the development points to heightened regulatory and safety risk for advanced EV exterior systems, which could influence design standards, certification timelines, and potential liability exposure for OEMs and suppliers. If regulators tighten rules or enforcement around electronic or non-traditional door mechanisms, companies supplying similar technologies may face increased compliance costs, redesign needs, or delays in program launches, but could also benefit if they offer compliant, safety-focused solutions that become industry benchmarks. The focus on Volvo’s EX60, positioned as a key Swedish-built EV with strategic importance for Volvo’s product and manufacturing footprint, also underscores the broader trend of automakers localizing EV production and differentiating via hardware and UX features—areas where safety perception and regulatory alignment will be critical to market acceptance and long-term profitability.