European car safety body is coming for touchscreens. The European New Car Assessment Programme mandates that key controls need physical buttons or switches
European car safety body is coming for touchscreens. The European New Car Assessment Programme mandates that key controls need physical buttons or switches
The European New Car Assessment Programme mandates that key controls need physical buttons or switches.
Carmakers are equipping their latest models with fancy touchscreens, but that could cause problems with Europe’s largest car safety authority.
The European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) is revamping its rating system starting Jan. 1, 2026 to mandate that five of a car's primary controls — its horn, windshield wipers, turn signals, hazard warning lights and SOS features — will need physical buttons or switches.
Car models will have to comply to get NCAP's coveted five-star rating. The scheme is voluntary but is heeded by most automakers because it's closely monitored by consumers.
Belgium-based NCAP says that purely digital controls are a potential safety issue.
You're viewing a single thread.
Horn, windshield wipers, turn signals, hazard warning lights and SOS features.
What about: Headlights? Fog lights? Climate control? Etc..
Not sure about fog lights(they need to be activated only once and only during fog), but climate control absolutely needs to be on this list.