China introduces new safety standards and bans steering wheels in electric cars • Межа

New Chinese regulations mark the end of the era of steering wheels in electric cars. Many considered these U-shaped steering wheels, like those found in Tesla or Lexus, to be the future of the auto industry. However, Chinese experts have recognized them as dangerous, and the new law will force them to disappear from the world’s largest car market, writes EVArena.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China has published the standard GB 11557-202X, which aims to protect drivers from injuries caused by steering wheels during road accidents. The regulations will come into effect on January 1, 2027 and eliminate the exemption for semi-steering wheel designs. Without them, it will be impossible for automakers to certify electric vehicles with steering wheels.

The new regulations are stricter than those in force since 2011: the maximum crash force has been reduced to 11,110 newtons and every model must pass the “human impact” test without exception. The U-shaped steering wheel fails the tests because it lacks upper impact zones at 10 key points.

According to statistics, 46% of driver injuries are related to the steering wheel. A traditional round steering wheel softens impacts, while a U-shaped one leaves an empty area through which the body can hit the panel or glass. Airbags in the steering wheel also work unstable and can scatter debris.

Companies will be given 13 months to change the design of the steering wheel in current models.

Recall that China recently also forced automakers to abandon hidden handles.

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