Experts warn that EVs must include manual overrides for doors and windows to ensure safety.

Chinese electronic consumer electronic brand Xiaomi yet again faces mounting scrutiny after a tragic accident involving its SU 7, its luxury electric sedan in Chengdu, reportedly leaving the driver trapped inside the burning vehicle. The incident has again fueled the debates of the smart cars and the hefty reliance on the electronic systems during emergencies.

According to a Bloomberg report, the Xiaomi SU7 burst into flames after a crash and bystanders were unable to open the vehicle's doors, believed to be locked due to its electronic mechanism. The driver could not escape and died at the scene. Chengdu police have suggested that the crash may have been linked to drunk driving, but many experts and users are questioning whether the car's technology made rescue attempts impossible.

For the unversed, the SU7 features flush electronic door handles and advanced smart systems which seems to have failed to respond in the crash's aftermath. Safety specialists have warned that while automakers like Xiaomi, Tesla, and BYD race to design sleek, tech-driven EVs, basic safety mechanisms, such as manual overrides for doors and windows, should remain accessible in emergencies.

The Xiaomi SU7, which was introduced earlier this year, is positioned as a futuristic smart sedan with connected car features and driver assistance technologies. However, the Chengdu crash has shifted the focus away from innovation and towards accountability, raising uncomfortable questions about how these vehicles perform in real-world crisis situations.

Xiaomi's stock also took a hit and dropped more than 5 per cent on Monday, plunging as much as 8.7% in Hong Kong trading after images and videos of the burning sedan went viral on Chinese social media.

We have reached out to Xiaomi for the statement and will update the copy as soon as we get it. Stay tuned with Digit to know more about the incident.

Xiaomi SU7 catches fire after crash, driver dies as electronic doors fail to unlock: Report