17/07/2026
China just passed a law mandating physical buttons for 19 essential, safety-related vehicle functions.
The era of the all-digital dashboard is hitting a regulatory roadblock as China officially clamps down on the automotive industry's obsession with touchscreens. Under newly finalized regulations set to take effect on July 1, 2027, automakers will be legally required to equip vehicles with physical controls for 19 essential safety functions, including turn signals, windshield wipers, hazard lights, and the gear shifter.
While migrating controls to touchscreens has allowed manufacturers like Tesla and various electric vehicle startups to streamline production, cut costs, and offer sleek designs, it has also sparked safety concerns. Drivers often face dangerous distractions and laggy software when trying to perform basic driving operations, prompting a major regulatory correction.
This regulatory pushback is not a localized anomaly but rather part of a broader global movement prioritizing tactile safety over high-tech minimalism. In Europe and the UK, the Euro NCAP safety organization began docking points starting in 2026 for vehicles without dedicated physical switches for core safety functions, threatening their coveted five-star safety ratings. China’s new mandate is even stricter, dictating precise usability rules and button sizes, and follows another recent Chinese ban on hidden, pop-up door handles that can trap passengers during emergencies. As safety authorities clamp down, the automotive world is being forced to quickly pivot back to intuitive, tactile cabins where drivers can keep their eyes on the road.
source: Dow, J. (2026). China is bringing buttons back to cars, ending trend led by Tesla. Electrek.
