China Mulls Strict Crackdown on Massive Touchscreens and Pop-Out Handles

Chinese regulators are setting their sights on distracting automotive technology, following a ban on electronic pop-out door handles and a push to keep physical buttons and switches for essential vehicle controls. A new notice published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) indicates that authorities could institute a blanket ban on vehicles using flexible and folding displays. While no production vehicles currently feature folding displays in China, the technology exists, and local tech firm BOE previewed a curving screen earlier this year.

Under the proposed regulations, large infotainment displays, secondary screens, and HUDs would face mandatory assessments covering driver safety, crash safety, and reliability under extreme conditions before hitting the market, potentially leading to bans on overly distracting setups. This could impact local automakers increasingly outfitting cars with massive screens, particularly for front-seat passengers. Additionally, the proposal examines zero-gravity seats, which might be banned from use while a vehicle is in motion, along with LED daytime running lights that support user-generated designs.

Regulators have also proposed banning voice commands for critical safety functions like operating headlights, opening doors, and opening the hood. If approved, the new rules will apply to vehicles manufactured from January 1, 2027, while existing models on the market will require updates by July 1, 2027. According to CNEVPost, noncompliant vehicles would face recalls or production halts.