Chinese authorities want to ban steering wheels in cars

Chinese authorities have proposed banning non-standard steering wheels in cars due to safety concerns. The initiative may come into force in 2027 and will affect popular models from Nio, Xiaomi, Zeekr and others.

An initiative that caused controversy

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China has published a draft of new technical regulations for the automotive industry, which contains an unexpected proposal: to ban the use of non-standard steering wheels, including the so-called “steering wheels” - flat, rectangular or semicircular steering devices that have become popular among Chinese electric vehicle startups.

Such solutions are already used in the Nio ET5, Zeekr 001 FR, Xiaomi SU7 and some BYD and Li Auto concepts. They are designed to emphasize the sporty character of the car, improve visibility of the dashboard and integrate with autopilot systems. However, regulators consider them a potential security threat.

Why now?

According to Chinese authorities, non-standard steering wheels can disorient the driver in emergency situations - especially during fast maneuvers, when it is important to clearly sense the position of the front wheels based on the steering angle. Unlike the classic round steering wheel, the “steering wheel” does not provide tactile feedback about the neutral position, which is critical when electronic systems fail or when working on a slippery road.

In addition, the new rules are aimed at unifying requirements in the context of the rapid growth of autopilots. If the car remains formally "human driven", then the controls must comply with traditional ergonomic standards.

Reaction of automakers

The initiative caused a strong reaction in the industry. Companies like Nio and Xiaomi have said that their steering systems have passed all required crash tests and certifications, and the user experience shows high levels of satisfaction. However, many brands have already begun to offer the classic round steering wheel as an option - apparently in preparation for a possible ban.

Experts note that the solution may be a compromise: instead of a complete ban, the authorities will introduce restrictions on the use of steering wheels only in cars with autopilot level L3 and higher, where the driver can actually transfer control to the car.

What does this mean for the market?

If the regulations are adopted in their current version, from 2027 all new models sold in China will be required to be equipped exclusively with round steering wheels. This will not only affect interior design, but will also slow down experiments with “aviation” ergonomics, which have become the hallmark of Chinese EV brands.

However, there is an important message behind this decision: safety is more important than aesthetics. And even in the era of artificial intelligence and autonomous driving, China reminds us that the car remains a high-risk vehicle, where the human factor is still decisive.