Driver Dies in Xiaomi SU7 fire Following Crash in China, Raising Safety concerns
BEIJING – A driver died in China after being trapped in a burning Xiaomi SU7 electric vehicle following a crash early Saturday morning, sparking renewed scrutiny of door mechanisms in modern cars, especially EVs. The incident, which occurred around 3 a.m., is the second reported case of occupants being unable to escape a Xiaomi SU7 after a collision.
Videos circulating online show bystanders attempting to rescue the driver, punching and kicking at the vehicle’s windows and doors, but were unable to gain access before the car was engulfed in flames.Firefighters extinguished the blaze upon arrival, but the driver could not be saved. Preliminary reports suggest the driver may have been intoxicated.
The accident underscores growing concerns about the safety of electronically controlled door systems. While the Xiaomi SU7 utilizes conventional exterior handles and is equipped with an automatic door unlocking system triggered by accidents or airbag deployment, along with a manual emergency release inside the cabin, the system apparently failed to function in both this incident and a previous crash in April that resulted in three fatalities. In both cases, the doors reportedly jammed on impact.
Chinese regulators are now considering restrictions on electronic door mechanisms, and US authorities are continuing investigations into similar issues with vehicles like Tesla. The incidents raise questions about the reliability of these systems and the potential for occupants to become trapped in the event of a crash.
