Fatal Crash of Xiaomi SU7 Ultra as Electric Car Erupts in Flames
A Xiaomi SU7 Ultra electric sedan caught fire after a violent collision in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu, killing the driver and sparking renewed debate over the safety of Xiaomi’s first mass-produced electric vehicle.
he Accident
The crash occurred around 3:16 a.m. Monday on Tianfu Avenue, a major roadway in Chengdu city of China. The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra reportedly collided with another vehicle before veering into a median barrier. Moments later, the car burst into flames, engulfing the entire cabin within minutes, according to a report by a Chinese local media outlet ThePaper.
Eyewitnesses told reporters that several bystanders tried to break the windows and pull the driver out, but were unable to open the doors as the fire spread rapidly.
Later on, rescue workers who arrived on the scene used hammers and electric saws to access the vehicle after extinguishing the flames.
Casualty and Investigation
Authorities identified the deceased driver as a 31-year-old man surnamed Deng, and preliminary investigations suggest he may have been driving under the influence of alcohol.
Police have not yet confirmed whether any technical malfunction contributed to the severity of the fire.
The car was completely destroyed, leaving only a charred frame. Local emergency responders confirmed that the victim died at the scene, having been burned alive inside the car before firefighters could reach him.
Safety Questions and Market Reaction
The incident has intensified scrutiny over the safety features of Xiaomi’s SU7 series, including its electric architecture and crash-response systems.
The fatal crash follows earlier safety controversies surrounding the SU7. In March, another accident involving an SU7 left three university students dead, prompting questions about the vehicle’s driver-assistance systems.
Last month, Xiaomi issued a recall of over 116,000 SU7 sedans to fix a software issue affecting vehicle stability under certain driving conditions.
Moreover, Xiaomi’s shares dropped sharply after the news:
