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China is moving to effectively eliminate “yoke-style” steering wheels—those with the top section missing, similar to ones popularized by Tesla—through new automotive safety regulations expected to take effect in 2027. The updated standard from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology replaces rules that have been largely unchanged since 2011 and introduces stricter crash-safety requirements for steering systems. These rules will apply to all new vehicles seeking approval in the country, with existing models receiving a short transition period to adapt.
The biggest issue for yoke steering wheels is that the new regulation requires impact testing at ten specific points around the steering wheel rim, including the top section. Because yoke designs remove the upper part of the wheel, they physically cannot meet those test requirements. Regulators say the change is motivated by safety concerns, noting that a large portion of driver injuries in crashes originate from the steering mechanism and that traditional circular wheels provide a larger surface to absorb impact forces.
Authorities also worry that unconventional steering shapes could interfere with airbag deployment and increase injury risk during secondary impacts. While yokes can work well in race cars or aircraft—where steering inputs are smaller—ordinary road cars require larger steering movements, making the design less practical for everyday driving. If the rules go into effect as planned, automakers selling cars in China will likely return to conventional round steering wheels.
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