Driver trapped in fatal Xiaomi EV crash sparks China’s safer door design plan

The incident occurred on Monday in Chengdu when the SU7 collided with another vehicle, killing a 31-year-old man who police suspect was driving under the influence of alcohol, as reported by CNBC. Video footage and eyewitness accounts showed bystanders unsuccessfully attempting to open the burning vehicle’s doors to rescue the trapped driver.

This crash follows a similar fatal incident in March, which prompted Chinese regulators to begin drafting new regulations for car door mechanisms. Analysts believe this latest case will accelerate the implementation of new safety rules, particularly regarding EV door handles.

A hashtag related to the incident quickly gained traction, surpassing 1 million views on Weibo, China’s popular social media platform.

"The Xiaomi EV accidents have sped up the arrival of the new car door handles national standards," Li Yanwei, an adviser to the China Automobile Dealers Association, told Bloomberg.

Xiaomi electric car SU7 Ultra. Photo from Instagram

In September, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology proposed regulations that would require all passenger vehicles to feature mechanical door releases accessible from both inside and outside the car and must meet minimum size standards of at least 6 centimeters by 2 centimeters.

The goal is to eliminate recessed or flush handles, a design popularized by Elon Musk’s Tesla. Flush door handles, often seen as a sleek, modern feature on electric vehicles, rely on sensors and electricity, making them vulnerable during power outages or fires. The proposal is currently open for public feedback until Nov. 22, with the new standards set to take effect in 2027.

"This is a return to common sense," said Yale Zhang, managing director of Shanghai-based consultancy Automotive Foresight.

While the regulations will apply only to vehicles sold in China, global automakers are expected to follow suit, given China’s status as the world’s largest car market. Zeekr, a Chinese EV maker, has already made the change, equipping its 9X SUV with traditional-style handles featuring electrical functionality that meets the draft requirements.