China's Ministry of Industry has published a draft of new safety regulations mandating physical buttons for life-critical functions in all vehicles. From July 1, 2027, all newly manufactured vehicles in the People's Republic must have "real" controls again.
The reason: distraction at the wheel. In many electric cars, even basic mechanical functions run through the central display. In emergencies, rescuers have been unable to open doors or shift gears on vehicles with fully digital controls.
The New Mandatory Buttons
The following functions may no longer be operated exclusively via touchscreens:
- Gear shift and turn signals
- Hazard lights and window controls
- Door opening (interior and exterior handles)
- Emergency call (eCall)
Minimum size: 10 x 10 mm per button. No exceptions.
Not the First Reversal
China is systematically cleaning up design trends that are problematic from a safety perspective:
| Measure | From When | Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Physical buttons mandatory | July 2027 | Tesla, BYD, Xiaomi |
| Ban on retractable door handles | Jan. 2027 | Tesla Model S/X, BYD |
| Ban on yoke steering wheels | Jan. 2027 | Tesla Model S, Lexus |
Retractable door handles can jam after accidents and trap occupants. Yoke steering wheels don't meet airbag standards - a detail manufacturers initially ignored.
Europe Is Following
China is not alone. The European testing organization Euro NCAP has already announced that from 2026, it will no longer award five stars to cars that rely exclusively on touchscreens for key functions.
The message is clear: futuristic aesthetics are all well and good - but not at the expense of safety.
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