China’s ban on yoke steering wheels starts January 1, 2027. Regulators will also clamp down on flush door handles and touchscreen-only cabins.
The move targets design trends Tesla popularized. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) plans to replace a 2011 crash standard and push interiors back toward physical controls.
Why regulators are stepping in
MIIT’s draft steering rule adds impact tests at 10 points around the rim, including the top, which a yoke lacks.
Regulators say yokes let drivers slide toward the dashboard in a crash and can make airbag deployment less predictable.
Chinese data indicate that 46 % of driver injuries are caused by the steering mechanism or column.
Regarding car doors, China has already moved to ban hidden, flush handles after incidents in which occupants struggled to exit after power loss and in fires.
The rule requires mechanical releases inside and out, as well as clear cabin markings. Industry sources peg redesign costs at up to 100 million yuan per model.
What comes next
China will allow a 13-month grace period for already-approved half-wheel models and a longer transition for some door-handle designs through January 2029.
Regulators are also weighing limits on “excessive” screens and want fixed controls for turn signals, hazard lights, and gear selection.
China’s market size means these rules can shape future Chinese EVs that reach Pakistan.
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