Electric car driver gets stuck installing software update

In China, an electric car driver has been locked up after a software update was installed while driving. The car came to a stop on the road and then caused the driver to be trapped for more than an hour.

The South China Morning Post reports this on the basis of a message that automaker Nio posted on the Chinese Weibo. The manufacturer confirms that one of its test cars came to a stop in the middle of busy Beijing traffic after the user chose to install a software update; According to Nio, several actions were required to initiate the software update, but the company did apologize for providing this option while driving. It advises users to park the car at the side of the road before installing an update.

While installing the update, not only did the car come to a stop, but the driver was also unable to get out of the car. For example, it was not possible to open the doors, or to open a window.

Nio is part of a Chinese start-up and makes luxury electric cars. The company has been active for several years, with the EP9 supercar being one of the most startling models; an amount of approximately EUR 1.4 million has to be deposited for this.