MIIT Proposes Mandatory Physical Buttons for 19 Driving Functions, Effective July 2027

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has released a draft of the mandatory national standard titled "Symbols for Controls, Indicators, and Tell-tales in Motor Vehicles" for public comment. The draft stipulates that 19 core driving functions—including turn signals, hazard warning flashers, windshield wipers, and gear shifting—must be equipped with dedicated physical controls. The standard is scheduled to take full effect in July 2027 and will apply to all newly manufactured vehicles. According to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) for July 2026, the retail penetration rate of new energy passenger vehicles reached 65.1%, exceeding 60% for the fourth consecutive month. Since 2026, China’s automotive industry has seen a wave of new regulations implemented, covering vehicle safety and quality, battery safety, intelligent driving labeling, flush-mounted door handles, and yoke-style steering wheels. Simulated tests by Euro NCAP show that in high-speed emergency scenarios, activating hazard lights takes an average of 1.2 seconds using physical buttons but 4.7 seconds via touchscreen. Research by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that touch-based operations cause drivers to look away from the road for an average of 8 seconds, compared to just 0.5 seconds with physical buttons. Industry testing data reveals a comprehensive error rate of 27% for touchscreen operations versus only 0.8% for physical controls. Currently, automakers including Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, BYD, Geely, and Changan have already reintroduced physical buttons and tactile knobs in their latest vehicle models.