Nineteen functions, each needing a real button or switch that is at least 10 mm by 10 mm. That is the core of China’s proposed rules for new cars, which would take effect on 1 July 2027 and apply to every newly manufactured vehicle in the country.
For years the Chinese industry, electric vehicle makers above all, has been among the most enthusiastic adopters of large touchscreens, swapping traditional buttons for digital menus. The cabins looked cleaner and more futuristic. They also drew criticism, because simple jobs such as adjusting the climate controls or switching on the wipers became more distracting to do at speed. Safety experts have warned that working through menus keeps drivers’ eyes off the road for longer, and that raises the risk of an accident.
What the rules ask for
Among the 19 core functions is activation of advanced driver assistance. The buttons must be easy to find without looking away from the road, and they must keep working even if the central infotainment display fails. The aim, it would seem, is as much resilience as ergonomics: a dead screen should not take the wipers with it.
A wider retreat from touch
China is not alone in second-guessing the screen. Volkswagen has acknowledged that leaning too hard on touch controls was a mistake and says it plans to bring physical buttons back in future models after customers complained about usability. In Europe, updated Euro NCAP protocols now favour vehicles with physical controls for essential functions.
The salient point is scale. Many manufacturers build common platforms for several markets, so a Chinese requirement could influence how cars are designed well beyond China.
