China to ban yoke steering wheels, mandate physical buttons starting in 2027

19 Feb 2026·< 1 min read

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) of China is reported to implement two new automotive safety standards starting next year (2027).

This implementation is expected to have a significant impact on the design of modern vehicles, particularly electric vehicle (EV) models that feature minimalist cockpits and yoke steering wheels.

No More F1-Style Steering Wheels

The latest national safety standard GB 11557-202X which has been published, will come into effect on January 1, 2027.

This change is necessitated by the current standard (GB 1157-2011), which has been in use since 2011 and is no longer relevant to the latest technology.

The most critical change is the removal of exemptions for human impact testing, meaning all vehicle models must pass this test.

The new standard will also require testing at ten specific points on the steering wheel rim, including the weakest parts and areas without support.

Thus, it will be nearly impossible for any yoke-style steering wheel, which lacks a top portion, to meet the new standards.

From a safety perspective, data shows that 46% of driver injuries stem from steering mechanisms.

The traditional round design provides a larger impact absorption area, whereas yoke steering wheels increase the risk of secondary injury.

Many drivers have also reported difficulties in making U-turns and parking when using yoke steering wheels.

Mandatory Physical Buttons

In related developments, China has also finalized amendments to the GB 4094-2016 standard, which will require physical buttons for basic vehicle functions starting July 1, 2027.

This measure aims to reduce the reliance on infotainment screens that are increasingly dominating the designs of modern EV cockpits.

Functions that will require physical controls include: