China will ban yoke‑style steering wheels on new cars from Jan 1 2027, tightening crash‑test standards to boost driver safety. Discover what this means for Tesla, Lexus, Mercedes and the global auto industry – read more now.
The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced that, starting 1 January 2027, any new car sold in the country must feature a traditional round steering wheel. The rule targets the increasingly popular yoke‑style steering wheel – a rectangular or “open‑top” design first seen on upgraded versions of Tesla’s Model S and Model X.
What is a yoke steering wheel?
A yoke replaces the conventional circular rim with a shallow, often rectangular, shape that leaves the upper portion of the wheel missing. The concept aims to give drivers a cockpit‑like feel and to free up space around the instrument cluster.
Why China is tightening the rules
Data from Chinese safety regulators show that roughly 46 % of driver injuries in crashes involve the steering mechanism. The new standard reduces the allowable lateral force in impact tests to 11,110 N (the United Nations benchmark) and mandates stricter limits on steering‑column travel during a collision.
Most importantly, the regulation requires impact testing at ten distinct points around the wheel rim – including the weakest zones. Because a yoke lacks the upper arc, several of these test points simply do not exist, making it virtually impossible for the design to pass.
Safety concerns already raised worldwide
The United States’ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2023 asked Tesla to recall over 362,000 vehicles equipped with its Autopilot system after a series of accidents. While the steering wheel shape was not singled out as the direct cause, experts noted that the unconventional yoke could impair rapid, instinctive reactions in emergency situations.
Practical challenges for everyday driving
In contrast to Formula 1 cars, which benefit from tiny steering angles and ultra‑quick gear ratios, regular passenger vehicles require multiple full rotations to navigate tight turns or parking maneuvers. Many Tesla owners in the U.S. have reported that the yoke feels awkward at low speeds, especially in congested city traffic.
How manufacturers are adapting
- Lexus experimented with a yoke combined with a steer‑by‑wire system that adjusts gear ratios based on speed, aiming to reduce the amount of hand rotation needed.
- Mercedes‑Benz is developing a similar electronic steering concept, touting benefits such as a larger cabin footprint and clearer view of the digital instrument panel.
Despite the engineering advantages, the shift away from the familiar round wheel remains a major hurdle for most drivers.
What the 2027 deadline means
All new vehicle models seeking approval for the Chinese market must comply with the updated steering‑wheel standard after 2027. Existing models will be given a transition period to redesign their steering systems.
China’s decision makes it one of the first major markets to set a clear legal barrier against yoke steering wheels. As electric vehicles and electronic steering technologies continue to evolve, regulators are underscoring that proven mechanical safety will still dominate the approval process.
For manufacturers, the new rule could accelerate the development of hybrid solutions that keep the cabin benefits of a yoke while meeting traditional safety expectations.