A fatal crash involving a Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle in Chengdu last October raised safety concerns over flush, electrically operated door handles, Caixin reported.

The 31-year-old driver, surnamed Deng, collided with another vehicle and a median at 167 km/h, causing a fire that led to his death; police suspected drunk driving and found him fully responsible.

According to Caixin, citing a forensic report, damage to the low-voltage system disabled the door handles, which lacked an exterior mechanical emergency release located in a storage compartment, complicating rescue efforts.

Social media videos showed bystanders trying but failing to open the doors.

The incident contributed to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s January rules requiring mechanical releases on interior and exterior handles, including an exterior recess for gripping, effective 2027.

Xiaomi said production of the first-generation SU7 ended this month and a new model launching in 2026 will comply with these standards.

The driver’s family has requested a full investigation into the vehicle.

🔗 Source: Bloomberg

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