KATHMANDU: China will no longer allow half-steering wheels, also known as yoke-style steering, in new vehicle models starting January 1, 2027.
According to Chines media reports, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has published a draft of the updated national safety standard GB 11557-202X. The new rule focuses on protecting drivers from injuries caused by the steering mechanism during crashes.
Notably, it removes all technical provisions related to half-steering wheels, signaling stricter control over unconventional designs.
The current standard, introduced in 2011, has been in use for more than a decade. With the rapid growth of electric vehicles and new technologies, authorities say the old rule is no longer sufficient.
Under the new standard, steering wheels must be tested at ten specific points around the rim. These include areas considered structurally weakest or least supported.
Half-steering wheels do not have a complete circular rim. Because of this, some required test points physically do not exist. As a result, such designs will not be able to meet the new national standard.
The new rule also addresses airbag safety. It prohibits hard fragments, such as metal or plastic parts, from facing occupants during airbag deployment. Due to their unusual shape and structure, half-steering wheels may create unpredictable break patterns during airbag deployment.
From January 1, 2027, all new vehicle models seeking approval in China must comply with the updated regulation. Existing approved models are expected to receive a transition period of around 13 months to make necessary changes.
