China wants to bring back buttons to cars - touchscreens may lose some functions

Tengrinews.kz — China has decided to revise its approach to modern vehicle controls. National authorities have drafted a new standard that will mandate manufacturers to reinstate physical buttons for a range of critical functions.

Buttons return to the dashboard

The document was developed by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. If adopted, the changes will affect not only Chinese brands but also foreign automakers selling vehicles in the domestic market.

According to the draft standard, passenger and commercial vehicles will no longer be able to rely solely on touchscreens to manage key systems.

Specifically, dedicated physical buttons, switches, or dials must be provided for hazard lights, high beams, fog lights, windshield wipers and washers, as well as window heating and defrosting systems.

Furthermore, drivers must be able to locate the necessary control by touch without taking their eyes off the road. To ensure this, the document specifies requirements not only for the presence of buttons but also for their size and shape.

The minimum area for each button must be at least 10 by 10 millimeters, and the elements themselves must be distinguishable by texture or other tactile features.

When the changes take effect

An exception will be made only for automatic exterior lighting. If a vehicle defaults to turning on lights automatically upon engine start, the manufacturer may keep a virtual button. However, it must be located on the home screen without requiring the user to navigate through additional menus.

If the standard is approved, it will take effect on July 1, 2027. For new models, the requirements will become mandatory 13 months after that date, while vehicles already in production will be granted a 19-month transition period.

This is not the first wave of amendments regarding automotive manufacturing. Previously, China decided to tighten requirements for car seats following the surge in popularity of so-called "zero-gravity" seats in modern electric vehicles.

Changes have also been made regarding "hidden door handles"; starting January 1, 2027, Chinese automakers will be required to adhere to a mandatory door handle standard..

According to the regulations, all passenger cars and light commercial vehicles must be equipped with mechanical handles capable of opening in emergency situations, including electronic system failures and accidents.