Khaberni - The death of a Xiaomi SU7 electric car driver has reignited the debate over the safety of hidden door handle designs, after bystanders failed to rescue the driver following a vehicle collision and ensuing fire, due to their inability to open the doors.
The police noted that the accident, which occurred last Monday, may have been caused by driving under the influence of alcohol, but the inability of those present to open the doors highlighted the dangers associated with these types of handles, which are prevalent in modern electric cars.
The tragic incident triggered a wave of debate on Chinese social media, where the hashtag related to the incident gathered over a million views on the platform "Weibo", coinciding with government actions to tighten car safety standards, according to a report published by "Bloomberg" and reviewed by "Alarabiya Business".
Anticipated new legislation
Last September, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology proposed new rules requiring car companies to install a mechanical opening mechanism for doors that can be operated from both inside and outside, even in case of electrical system failure or battery overheating.
These rules, expected to take effect in 2027, aim to eliminate hidden handles popularized by "Tesla" and later adopted by many Chinese companies.
Li Yanwei, an advisor to the China Automobile Dealers Association, said that accidents involving "Xiaomi" cars have accelerated the adoption of new standards for door handles, adding that companies relying on integrated designs will need to modify their products to comply with the upcoming regulations.
Stylish but dangerous design
Experts believe that the hidden handles that first appeared in electric cars as a symbol of modern design have now become a potential weakness in emergency situations.
Although the Chinese regulations will only be implemented locally, their impact will extend to the global market due to China's status as the world's largest car market, pushing foreign companies to redesign their models to comply with the new standards.
"Tesla" also under scrutiny
Tesla in the United States is under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration following reports of incidents where passengers in Model Y cars could not open doors after a power outage.
The new Chinese draft stipulates that electric handles must be capable of manual operation without external tools, providing sufficient space for the hand, no less than 6 centimeters in length and 2 centimeters in width, in addition to undergoing performance tests under various environmental conditions.
Some companies have already begun to modify their designs, such as "Zeekr", which equipped its 9X multi-purpose sports vehicle with traditional handles that operate both electrically and mechanically, in line with the proposed rules.
Yiel Zhang, director of "Automotive Foresight" consulting company in Shanghai, said, "This move represents a return to common sense, as safety must take precedence over aesthetic appearance."
