In recent years, car manufacturers have been replacing physical buttons with touchscreen menus integrated into the infotainment system. This approach saves space on the dashboard and reduces production costs. However, it has not always been well-received by drivers. Rather than allowing customer feedback to influence car interior design, European regulators are implementing a new approach.
Beginning in January 2026, all new cars sold in the European Union must include physical buttons or switches for essential functions such as turn signals, hazard lights, horn, windshield wiper, and eCall function to achieve the highest crash test rating. Unlike the stringent regulations for electrification, which impose hefty fines on non-compliant companies, there will be no financial penalty for not including physical buttons. However, cars without these features will not be eligible for a five-star safety rating.
“The excessive use of touchscreens is a widespread issue in the industry, with nearly every automaker moving critical controls to central touchscreens. This forces drivers to divert their attention from the road, increasing the risk of distraction-related accidents,” explained Matthew Avery, the director of strategic development for the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), in a recent interview with British newspaper The Times. Euro NCAP is Europe’s equivalent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and conducts crash tests on new cars.
Car manufacturers have not yet responded to the new regulations, but the policy is not expected to have a significant impact on the industry. While many new cars rely heavily on touchscreens, essential functions are typically operated using physical switches or buttons. However, Tesla may need to make changes, as the Model 3 currently uses the touchscreen to activate its wipers.
