China’s new national standard, which will take effect on July 1, 2026, will completely eliminate the requirement for mechanical coupling in vehicle steering systems. This regulation represents a turning point in the automotive industry and paves the way for the widespread adoption of fully electronic “Steer-by-Wire” (steer-by-wire) technologies in mass production. The new standard defines detailed safety and functional requirements for electronic and electrically assisted steering systems.
No mechanical coupling requirement for steering
Major Chinese automakers and technology companies such as Nio, BAIC, Xpeng, BYD, Geely, Xiaomi, and Huawei, along with international joint ventures such as Toyota and Mercedes-Benz, participated in the development of this important regulation. The participation of a wide range of domestic and international manufacturers clearly demonstrates that the standard will be applied across different vehicle types and steering architectures.
Currently, several models on the market, such as the Infiniti Q50, IM L6, Nio ET9, and Tesla Cybertruck, utilize “Steer-by-Wire” technology. However, Chinese manufacturer Nio’s ET9 stands out as the first mass-produced model in the country to utilize full Steer-by-Wire technology without mechanical redundancy. The new standard establishes safety and functionality criteria for both conventional and fully electronic steering systems.
The standard specifically emphasizes functional safety, aligning with the United Nations’ R79 amendments, and requires electronic steering systems to meet ISO 26262 safety levels. It clearly defines system redundancy and expected performance under various fault scenarios, including power supply, control transmission, and energy management failures.
Alarm requirements for fully electronic steering systems, such as battery aging, performance issues, and real-time energy management monitoring, are also established. Furthermore, manufacturers are required to provide supporting documentation demonstrating the safety of their electronic steering systems, and these documents must be subject to review and even random verification testing.
The removal of the mechanical linkage requirement and the accompanying comprehensive functional and safety requirements create a robust regulatory framework that supports the design, testing, and deployment of vehicles featuring electronic steering technologies in both domestic and import markets.
