A deadly crash involving what is believed to be a Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan in Chengdu has reignited debate about electronically operated door handles, after passersby were unable to open the doors and pull the driver out before the car caught fire.
Police statement: Authorities said a 31-year-old man, surnamed Deng, is suspected of drunk driving. He reportedly hit another vehicle, crossed a planted median, and the car ignited; the driver died at the scene. While the model wasn’t officially named, Chinese media and Weibo videos indicate it was a Xiaomi SU7.
Market reaction: Xiaomi shares fell as much as 8.7% on Monday before trimming losses. The company did not immediately comment.
The crash follows an earlier fatal SU7 incident on a Chinese expressway, which had already raised concerns around newer smart-driving systems and EV door-handle designs.
Certain EV handles can be inoperable after power loss unless manual releases are found. These emergency overrides exist, but placement varies by model and may be hard to locate for bystanders or first responders.
In September, the U.S. NHTSA opened a defect probe into some Tesla Model Y exterior handles, and a Chinese regulator is reportedly weighing a ban on fully concealed handle designs.
Online reaction: Weibo users are questioning the electronically powered handles on Xiaomi and other EVs, arguing that in emergencies, access and usability remain inconsistent.
Fatal Xiaomi SU7 Crash Sparks Questions Over EV Door Handles
