The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China has obliged automakers to return some key functions to physical buttons. The new requirements will take effect on July 1, 2026, and will only affect new models.
According to CarNewsChina, some basic car functions will require the mandatory use of physical controls. These include control of lights and alarms, including turn signals, hazard warning lights and horn. In addition, the possibility of switching transmission modes P/R/N/D exclusively using the screen is excluded.
Separate buttons will be required to activate advanced driver assistants. The list also includes windshield wipers, windshield heating and blowing, power windows, the AECS emergency call system for incidents involving a child, and the main power switch for an electric vehicle.
The parameters of the buttons themselves are also regulated. The minimum working area must be at least 10×10 mm. Fixed location, tactile operation and tactile or audible feedback are provided. Basic functions must remain available even in the event of electronic failures.
Work on the revision of the norms began in 2023. The Chinese Automotive Technology and Research Center, FAW-Volkswagen, BYD and Great Wall Motor participated in it.
