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.

  • helenslunch
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    2 months ago

    It is for saving money at the expense of consumer safety.

    People keep saying this but I don’t buy it. Like, how much does some fucking buttons cost? Hell the cheap cars still have buttons and mechanical controls with cables and shit.

    And at the cost of consumer dissatisfaction. I think this is just more “change for the sake of change” so that someone can justify their job at the company that we’ve all come to know from the tech world.

    • T156@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      edit-2
      2 months ago

      Enough. One screen may cost $5, but if it replaces 10 - 20 15¢ buttons, that’s still worthwhile.

      Especially since there would be labour cost savings installing buttons, and not having to spend time installing spacers replacing those buttons for different trims, when they can just do it all in one screen, and fold it into the infotainment system install cost.

      • helenslunch
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        2 months ago

        if it replaces 10 - 20 15¢ buttons

        No? It’s not.

        Hell, why not just remove the passenger seats, that would probably save a couple hundred dollars on every car!