The European New Car Assessment Program, or Euro NCAP, has announced new safety testing in the coming years that may significantly alter the approach automakers take regarding vehicle interiors and touchscreens. The new guidelines are expected to encourage the use of physical controls, which are believed to reduce distractions while driving. It is important to note that these changes required of automakers for the European auto market may also influence U.S. market vehicles, particularly from European manufacturers, while future U.S. regulations could adopt similar requirements for physical controls.
New Rules and Their Implications
Effective January 2026, automakers aiming for the highest five-star safety rating must incorporate traditional button, stalk, or dial controls for five critical vehicle operations. These essential functions include:
- Direction indicators
- Hazard light activation
- Honk the horn
- Activate rain wipers
- Trigger an SOS function to notify emergency services
It’s crucial to understand that while compliance with these new tests isn’t legally mandatory, failing to meet the safety criteria will prevent automakers from achieving a top safety rating from NCAP testing.
Reasoning Behind the Changes
Matthew Avery, director of strategic development at Euro NCAP, outlined the reasoning for these new testing guidelines in an interview with The Sunday Times: “The overuse of touchscreens is an industry-wide problem, with almost every vehicle-maker moving key controls onto central touchscreens. This shift forces drivers to divert their attention from the road, consequently raising the risk of distraction-related crashes. The new Euro NCAP tests aimed for 2026 will encourage manufacturers to utilize intuitive, separate physical controls for basic functions, thus limiting time spent looking away from the road and promoting safer driving practices.”
Impact on Automakers
This shift is expected to notably affect Tesla, recognized for its minimalist vehicle interiors that rely heavily on a central touchscreen. Critics argue that having most vehicle and operational controls on a singular screen is highly controversial, and many automakers have adopted similar screen-focused designs.
Competitors like Rivian, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Porsche have unveiled models featuring increased screen space and fewer physical controls. Conversely, Volkswagen has recently redesigned its EV interiors to incorporate visible physical slider controls for climate and audio, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV has added haptic buttons on its dashboard for improved access.
Future Outlook
As vehicle interior designs evolve, regulatory bodies, including the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, are paying close attention. Although no new specific tests regarding touchscreens are currently planned, an IIHS spokesperson emphasized the importance of reducing driver attention required for basic functions.
NHTSA has highlighted the potential updates to its own five-star safety program, which may include examining emerging vehicle technologies related to driver distraction. Recent statistics indicate that driver distraction led to over 3,000 fatalities in 2019, further emphasizing the need for better-designed vehicle interfaces.
In conclusion, a return to more physical controls for vital vehicle functions, balanced with smart touchscreen integration, appears to be the best path forward. This pivotal change will initiate in Europe and affect European vehicles, setting a precedent for the automotive industry at large.
