China has approved an updated technical regulation requiring automakers to bring back physical buttons instead of touchscreen controls. The new requirements take effect on July 1, 2027, and will affect virtually all brands officially selling vehicles in the Chinese market.
The draft document was first presented in February and received final approval this week. The regulation lists 19 functions for which physical controls are mandatory, with specific requirements for size and ease of use. The list includes:
- Turn signals
- Hazard warning lights
- Horn
- Gear selector (P/R/N/D)
- Driver assistance systems (ADAS), if equipped
- Windshield wipers
- Windshield defroster
- Power windows
- Emergency call button
- Power disconnect switch for electric vehicles
Regulators concluded that touchscreen panels are not always convenient or reliable. Finding the right option on a smooth screen is more difficult and time-consuming than reaching for a physical button — especially when it comes to functions that directly affect vehicle control. Physical buttons allow drivers to operate critical functions without taking their eyes off the road.
The trend of moving functions to touchscreens has swept nearly the entire industry in recent years. One of the main proponents of this approach has been Tesla: starting with the Model S prototype, the company consistently shifted controls to a large central display, eventually removing even steering column stalks and the gear selector. Many Chinese EV manufacturers followed a similar path.
However, Chinese regulators have decided to halt this race. The new regulation effectively strikes a balance between digitalization and ergonomics, restoring safety as a priority.
This is not the only restriction China is introducing. Effective January 1, 2027, the country is also banning flush door handles — for the same safety reasons.
Fully recessed power-operated handles must have a mechanical backup mechanism for opening doors in any weather conditions or in the event of a power failure. The measure is designed to prevent situations where a door cannot be opened from the outside in an emergency.
Automotive expert Andrey Osipov notes that while the regulator's decision is justified from a safety standpoint, it will create additional challenges for manufacturers:
"A touchscreen monitor is currently much cheaper than an analog button. For many Chinese companies, returning to physical elements means higher production costs. But driver safety must come first."
The new regulation applies to all manufacturers — Chinese, European, Japanese, and American. There will be no exceptions. Important caveat: the requirement does not have retroactive effect. Models that have already received certification before July 1, 2027, may continue to be sold under the old rules for the rest of their lifecycle.
Nevertheless, automakers should already be thinking about redesigning their interiors. The Chinese market is one of the largest in the world, and these legally mandated changes could set a precedent for other countries.
China is prioritizing common sense: technology should assist the driver, not distract them. And this approach may well become the new global standard.