Euro NCAP made an announcement about the new testing rules that will require vehicles to have physical controls in order to receive the highest safety rating for vehicles in 2026. So, what will the new Euro NCAP test entail?
Euro NCAP test is changing
European car manufacturers are being encouraged to stop using touchscreen displays for basic functions such as signal lights and wipers in order to promote safer driving. According to a report by The Times, the European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), an independent and reputable safety organization for the automotive industry, is preparing to implement new rules in January 2026 that will require vehicles it evaluates to have physical controls.
While the Euro NCAP test is optional, it is widely supported by various EU governments as companies like Tesla, Volvo, Volkswagen, and BMW use their five-star ratings to highlight the safety of their vehicles to potential buyers.
Strategic Director Matthew Avery stated, “The overuse of touchscreen controls, the almost universal migration of basic controls to central touchscreen displays by almost every vehicle manufacturer, has become a sector-wide issue due to the increased risk of accidents from drivers taking their eyes off the road and being distracted.” After the new testing guidelines come into effect, cars will need to use buttons, dials, or control levers for hazard lights, indicators, front windshield wipers, SOS calls, and horns in order to qualify for the maximum safety rating.
The newly introduced MacBook Air model featuring the M3 processor from Apple was recently spotted in a Geekbench performance test.
Some manufacturers like Tesla and Volkswagen have gained fame by placing basic vehicle controls behind touch-sensitive interfaces. There is no shortage of complaints about these features, but equipment manufacturers continue to produce touchscreen interfaces because they are more cost-effective to manufacture than physical buttons and dials.
Euro NCAP’s safety guidelines are not a legal requirement, but car manufacturers take safety ratings seriously. Therefore, the risk of losing points during such evaluations will likely lead to fewer screens in new vehicles.
