China Drafts EV Safety Rules for Hidden Door Handles After Xiaomi Crash
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has issued draft regulations requiring electric vehicle manufacturers to implement mechanical emergency releases or redundant power supply systems. These measures aim to ensure passengers can exit vehicles during crashes or power failures. The proposal also mandates standardized signage to clearly indicate the location of hidden door handles and their physical backup mechanisms. This regulatory move follows a fatal accident in late March involving a Xiaomi SU7, where three female university students died. Public criticism and allegations suggested that the difficulty in opening the car's hidden door handles contributed to the tragedy, sparking a broader debate on electric vehicle safety standards. The draft rules are currently open for public review, signaling a potential shift in industry compliance requirements for automakers operating in China. The incident has heightened scrutiny on the design choices of modern EVs, particularly regarding user accessibility and emergency protocols.
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China Drafts EV Safety Rules for Hidden Door Handles After Xiaomi Crash
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has issued draft regulations requiring electric vehicle manufacturers to implement mechanical emergency releases or redundant power supply systems. These measures aim to ensure passengers can exit vehicles during crashes or power failures. The proposal also mandates standardized signage to clearly indicate the location of hidden door handles and their physical backup mechanisms. This regulatory move follows a fatal accident in late March involving a Xiaomi SU7, where three female university students died. Public criticism and allegations suggested that the difficulty in opening the car's hidden door handles contributed to the tragedy, sparking a broader debate on electric vehicle safety standards. The draft rules are currently open for public review, signaling a potential shift in industry compliance requirements for automakers operating in China. The incident has heightened scrutiny on the design choices of modern EVs, particularly regarding user accessibility and emergency protocols.
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