A tragic accident in the Chinese city of Chengdu has raised serious questions about electric car safety after a 31-year-old man died when his Xiaomi EV SU7 caught fire, and rescuers were unable to open the doors.
The horrifying crash has renewed fears about the design of electric door handles. These handles stop working when power is lost. As a result, they prevent passengers from escaping. They also block rescuers from reaching people during emergencies.
According to police, the crash happened late on October 13, when the Xiaomi SU7 collided with another vehicle before crossing a planted median and catching fire. The driver, identified as Mr. Deng, died at the scene. Authorities said they suspected him of driving under the influence at the time of the crash.
Witnesses described a terrifying scene. Videos shared on the Chinese social media platform Weibo showed the car engulfed in flames while bystanders desperately tried to open the doors to rescue the man.
However, the doors wouldn’t budge. Because the Xiaomi EV SU7 relies on electronic handles, once the car loses power, those handles lock, leaving the driver trapped inside. Firefighters later managed to open the doors using cutting tools, but it was too late to save him.
Xiaomi shares plunged nearly 9% after a fatal crash involving its SU7 electric car, Bloomberg reports
According to the outlet, a 31-year-old driver in China collided with another vehicle, crossed into the opposite lane, and the car caught fire. Witnesses tried to pull the man… pic.twitter.com/yPQ70FoKXN
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 13, 2025One witness told reporters, “We tried everything. The fire was spreading fast, but the doors wouldn’t open. It was heartbreaking to watch.” Police confirmed that no other injuries were reported and that the investigation is still underway.
The case has sparked a national conversation about the risks of electronic door handles, which have become common in modern electric vehicles for their sleek look and aerodynamic benefits. Unlike standard mechanical handles, these rely on the car’s electrical system. When power fails, such as in a crash, the handles often become disabled.
Most vehicles, including the Xiaomi EV SU7, have a manual emergency release inside the cabin, but it can be hard to locate or operate in a panic. For rescuers outside the car, gaining access can be almost impossible without specialized tools.
Experts say this is not just a Xiaomi issue. Similar concerns have been raised globally about Tesla and other EV brands. A Chinese EV engineer said, “The technology looks futuristic, but in emergencies, even a few seconds can decide life or death. Manufacturers must include easier manual options.”
News of the Chengdu crash quickly spread online, sparking heated debate among netizens and investors. Xiaomi’s stock fell nearly 9% in early Hong Kong trading before slightly recovering. The company has not yet issued an official detailed statement but expressed condolences to the victim’s family.
This is not the first safety issue involving the SU7. Earlier this year, another fatal crash involving the same model raised concerns about Xiaomi’s driver-assist system. Following that incident, the company issued a software update to over 115,000 SU7 vehicles to address problems with its assisted driving mode at high speeds.
The crash has once again turned attention to vehicle design and regulatory gaps. China’s transportation regulators are already working on new standards requiring advanced safety features and improved manual override systems for smart vehicles. Officials expect to finalize the rules, currently in draft form, by 2027.
Questions and criticism have flooded social media in China. Many users on Weibo called for clearer labelling and easier access to manual release systems in all electric cars. One user wrote, “People don’t even know where the emergency lever is until it’s too late. This shouldn’t happen in a high-tech car.”
Some EV defenders defended Xiaomi, noting that the driver was reportedly drunk and that human error played a key role. But others insisted that, no matter the cause, car design must always account for the worst-case scenarios.
