Xiaomi Driver Death Fuels China Push For New EV Door Design (1)

A fatality involving a Xiaomi Corp. SU7 electric sedan has renewed scrutiny of flush car door handles and is likely to reinforce China’s push for tougher safety standards.

Bystanders were unable to open the doors to rescue the driver, who died after the vehicle burst into flames following Monday’s collision that police suspect was caused by drunk driving.

While Chinese regulators began drafting new requirements for door handle mechanisms after a similar crash in March killed three people, analysts expect the latest incident to bolster the case for implementation as it reignites debate over EV door handle design in China. ...