An official investigation into the death of a Xiaomi SU7 driver in China has confirmed key details previously reported by local media. The incident clearly demonstrates how critical the availability of basic mechanical access to a car’s interior can be in an emergency. Investigators concluded that the 31-year-old man died because he was unable to open the electrically controlled doors after the electric vehicle caught fire.
The Problem with Electronic Door Opening Systems
Although this case involves a Xiaomi car, the safety issue of electronic door opening systems has been discussed in the automotive industry and on global markets for many years. This is not an exclusive problem of Tesla or any other specific brand.
Chronology of Events
The accident occurred in Chengdu around 3:15 AM on October 13, 2025. According to the investigation, the driver named Deng was under the influence of alcohol. He collided with another car on Tianfu South Avenue, after which he flew over the central divider and burst into flames.
According to forensic examination, three seconds before the collision, the SU7 reached a speed of 203 km/h. After the impact with the other car, the speed dropped to 167 km/h, and at the moment of collision with the divider, it was 138 km/h.
Horrifying footage captured by witnesses showed passersby trying to break the driver’s side window and open the door to rescue him, but their attempts proved futile.
Reason for the Inability to Open the Door
Investigators determined that the door could not be opened from the outside because the fire caused a failure of the low-voltage power system responsible for the electric door handle opening function. The report notes that the SU7 lacks mechanical latches accessible from the outside, and the car relies entirely on electric buttons for opening.
Xiaomi’s shares fell nearly 9% following the fatal accident involving its SU7 electric car, Bloomberg reports. According to a source, the 31-year-old driver in China collided with another car, veered into oncoming traffic, and the vehicle caught fire. Witnesses tried to pull the man out…
The interior of the Xiaomi also uses electric buttons for opening. Although the car is equipped with mechanical emergency levers, finding and using them while disoriented after an accident is a challenging task.
Regulators’ Reaction
This fatal accident, along with other similar cases, has prompted Chinese regulators to ban electronic door handles on electric vehicles. The new rule will take effect on January 1, 2027. It will require external handles to have a mechanical part measuring at least 60 mm by 20 mm, ensuring the possibility of their use by rescuers in an emergency. Furthermore, mechanical levers inside the cabin must have clear markings with explanations on how to use them in an emergency.
This tragic incident has served as another signal to the entire automotive industry, especially for electric vehicle manufacturers, about the need to prioritize passive safety over design and minimalism. The shift to fully electric systems without reliable mechanical redundancy in critical components like doors creates new risks that can manifest precisely in the extreme conditions of an accident. Future regulation in China is likely to influence global safety standards, forcing other manufacturers to review their door mechanism decisions to ensure not only convenience but also a guaranteed possibility of rescue.