China to ban yoke-style steering wheels in 2027 over safety concerns.

China is set to ban yoke-style steering wheels in vehicles starting January 1, 2027, under a new draft safety standard from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The move follows safety concerns over reduced driver control during emergencies, increased injury risks from airbag deployment, and inadequate impact testing at upper rim points. The standard, GB 11557-202X, excludes half-steering wheel designs, reflecting regulatory caution toward futuristic features that may compromise safety despite their popularity in some electric vehicles.