Retractable door handles banned in China. (Photo-Carscoop)
Digital Desk, New Delhi. Retractable door handles have been banned in China. The action comes after a video of an electric car getting into an accident went viral, exposing the world to the real dangers of this stylish but impractical design.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has reportedly decided to limit the use of such handles, starting with EVs, after disturbing footage of the Dogfeng E-Pei007 accident emerged.
The incident, which has been confirmed by Dongfeng Motor, occurred on March 19, 2025 in Wenshan, Yunnan province. In the video, the sedan spins after colliding with a truck and slides off the road before colliding with a construction facade. Initially it seemed that the collision was minor, but it soon turned into a devastating fire.
Three passengers trapped in car due to door not opening
Immediately after the accident, the driver gets out of the car, but soon realizes that the rear doors are not opening because the retractable handles are not coming out. Within half a minute, smoke starts coming out of the vehicle and three passengers are trapped in the vehicle.
The driver took the passengers out of the car with the help of a passerby.
In the viral video, the driver and a passerby can be seen breaking windows with stones to reach the people trapped inside. Within 52 seconds of the accident, the fire engulfs the entire car. Still, both of them manage to get all the passengers out safely. Passersby reported that all suffered severe burns, although no one was life-threateningly injured.
On February 5, Dongfeng's E-Pi brand released a statement confirming the authenticity of the footage and expressing sympathy to those affected. The automaker said its team assisted investigators at the crash site and warned that the viral clips may not show the full context of the incident. The news of any death is still unconfirmed.
Increased concerns regarding security
After this accident, the debate has again started on style and safety in car design. As manufacturers increasingly favor retractable handles for both aerodynamics and aesthetics, concerns about safety during emergencies have increased.
Also read- Opening the car door without warning was costly, 90% disabled person due to accident will get compensation of Rs 84.65 lakh
Chyawanprash is a part of every Indian's life, it reduces diseases and increases energy.