Following up on its ban of flush door handles, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has published preliminary approval to ban half-steering wheels, yoke style mechanisms, that will come into effect in on 1 January 2027. The draft falls under ‘the stipulation protecting drivers from being injured by motor vehicle steering mechanism,’ and
Following up on its ban of flush door handles, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has published preliminary approval to ban half-steering wheels, yoke style mechanisms, that will come into effect in on 1 January 2027.
The draft falls under ‘the stipulation protecting drivers from being injured by motor vehicle steering mechanism,’ and indicates regulatory caution regarding unconventional steering designs, as reported by Car News China.
Current safety standards are lagging behind given the explosive growth of electric vehicles and their subsequent revolutionary design and features that push the boundaries of conventional vehicle design.
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The new standard aligns with international regulations under 11,110N, matching UN R12 specifications, that reduces the horizontal force limit in human module tests. Furthermore, it also institutes strict thresholds for upward and backward displacement of the steering column during collisions.
Under the proposed regulation revision, half-steering wheels face fundamental compliance challenges as it now requires impact testing at ten specific points on the steering wheel rim, including ‘the midpoint of the weakest area’ and ‘the midpoint of the shortest unsupported area.’
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Some of these areas simply do not exist on a half-steering wheel, therefore arriving at the conclusion that it will be impossible to pass the testing.
Accident statistics showed 46% of driver injuries originate from the steering mechanisms. Whereas a traditional circular steering wheels provide large area buffering when the driver lurches forward during the impact, that area does not exist with a half-steering wheel, dramatically increasing the risk of injury.
Moreover, airbag deployment is also a concern with the half-steering wheels. The testing requirements prohibits hard projectiles (such as metal or plastic parts) from facing occupants during deployment.
In this scenario, half-steering wheels require irregular supporting structures and covers that present unpredictable fracture patters during deployment, further complicating matters.
Apart from regulatory concerns, half-steering wheels are generally impractical for everyday use given the larger steering inputs in passenger vehicles, especially for parking and U-turns. Users have reported difficulties in operating half-steering wheels, furthermore during one-handed operation.
Half-steering wheels are better suited for motorsports use, where the racing vehicles are fitted with the appropriate quicker ratio steering racks for minimal inputs.
It appears to be the end of the road for half-steering wheels and current models such as those from Tesla, Lexus, IM Motors and Jiyue will likely be granted a transition period to update their steering wheels accordingly.