China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is set to prohibit the use of half-steering wheels (yoke steering) in new vehicles, effective January 1, 2027. The updated national safety standard, GB 11557-202X, removes all technical allowances for this unconventional steering design, effectively blocking its future implementation in the world’s largest automotive market.
Why This Matters: Safety First
This move signals a clear prioritization of driver safety over emerging vehicle design trends. Half-steering wheels, popular in some electric vehicles, have raised concerns about real-world crash protection. The decision reflects a tightening of regulations as automotive technology evolves, especially with the rapid growth of EVs.
The New Standard: Stricter Collision Tests
The updated standard significantly tightens safety requirements in several key areas:
- Horizontal Force Limits: Aligns with UN R12 specifications, reducing acceptable force during impact testing to 11,110N.
- Steering Column Displacement: Establishes stricter thresholds for movement of the steering column during collisions, limiting injury risk.
- Universal Impact Testing: All vehicles must now undergo human impact testing, eliminating previous exemptions.
Why Half-Steering Wheels Fail to Comply
The new standard’s core problem for half-steering wheels is physical impossibility. The regulations require impact testing at ten specific points on the steering wheel rim, including critical areas that simply do not exist on yoke designs. This means compliance is impossible under current standards.
“Accident statistics show 46% of driver injuries originate from steering mechanisms. Traditional steering wheels provide buffering in collisions, while half-steering wheels expose drivers to increased injury risks.” – Autohome Data
Airbag Safety Concerns
Beyond impact testing, the standard prohibits hard projectiles from facing occupants during airbag deployment. Half-steering wheels, with their irregular shapes, are prone to unpredictable fracture patterns during airbag activation—a risk that is difficult to validate even with high-speed camera testing.
Practical Challenges for Drivers
Reports from drivers show half-steering wheels struggle in everyday use. Unlike racing applications, consumer vehicles require larger steering inputs for tasks like parking or U-turns. Users report difficulties with one-handed operation and accidental contact with dashboard screens.
Transition Period and Compliance
All new vehicle models seeking approval after 2027 must comply. Existing approved models will have roughly 13 months to adjust designs. This shift will likely force automakers to revert to traditional steering wheel designs or significantly overhaul existing yoke-style implementations to meet the new standard.
The ban on half-steering wheels underscores a pragmatic approach to automotive safety: regulations will prioritize proven, protective designs over untested innovations. This decision ensures that Chinese roads remain safer for drivers, even as the industry embraces new technologies.
