Why did the retractable door handles fail during the Dongfeng e-pei007 crash?

The retractable door handles on the Dongfeng e-pei007 failed to extend after the vehicle was involved in a collision, trapping the occupants inside.

What was the outcome of the EV crash in Wenshan, China?

The EV caught fire after the crash, but all three passengers and the driver were rescued by bystanders before the flames became uncontrollable, though they suffered severe burns and injuries.

Will China ban retractable door handles on electric vehicles?

Following the incident, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is reportedly considering restricting the use of retractable door handles, especially on electric vehicles.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Hidden Danger: Flush Handles Trap EV Fire Victims

Hidden Danger: Flush Handles Trap EV Fire Victims

7 Feb

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Summary

Retractable door handles failed to extend after an EV crash.
The vehicle caught fire, trapping occupants inside.
China is reportedly restricting flush door handle use on EVs.

Hidden Danger: Flush Handles Trap EV Fire Victims

A severe electric vehicle accident in Wenshan, Yunnan province, on March 19, 2025, has prompted safety reviews of retractable door handles in China. The incident involved a Dongfeng e-pei007 that crashed and subsequently caught fire.

Disturbing footage showed the driver and three passengers trapped when the vehicle's retractable door handles failed to deploy after the collision. The car quickly became engulfed in flames, necessitating a desperate rescue by bystanders who smashed windows.

All occupants were saved, though they sustained severe burns, and the driver suffered serious hand injuries. Dongfeng Motor confirmed the incident and is cooperating with investigations.