Tesla’s Touchscreen Obsession Might Hit a Roadblock in Europe

For years, Tesla has doubled down on its minimalist touchscreen approach, stripping physical buttons from its cars in favor of a sleek, all-digital interface.

But a new safety regulation from Euro NCAP could throw a wrench in that philosophy.

From 2026, Euro NCAP—the organization that hands out those coveted five-star safety ratings—will start penalizing cars that lack physical buttons for essential functions like hazard lights, windshield wipers, and turn signals.

In other words, the all-touchscreen "dream" is about to hit a hard reality check. So, how will Tesla react?

The Death of Buttons (and Their Resurrection)

Automakers have spent the last decade moving away from physical buttons, convinced that touchscreens are the future.

Tesla led the charge, cramming nearly every function—from climate control to opening the glove box—into its giant center display. Other carmakers followed suit, eager to match that “tech-first” aesthetic.

But here’s the problem: touchscreens demand attention. Studies show that simple tasks, like adjusting the temperature, take significantly longer on a touchscreen than with a physical button.

Drivers end up looking away from the road for dangerously long periods—sometimes up to 22 seconds just to change a setting. Regulators have taken notice.

Euro NCAP is now saying: if a function is critical to safe driving, you can’t bury it in a touchscreen menu. You need real buttons.

Will Tesla Play Ball?

Tesla has a history of resisting industry norms.

When regulations don’t align with Elon Musk’s vision, the company tends to find loopholes or argue that its approach is actually safer. Take Tesla’s steering yoke, for example.

When the Model S and X switched to a half-steering wheel without traditional stalks for indicators and wipers, it was a usability nightmare.

Musk defended the decision, saying "this steering wheel style is the future," but user feedback was overwhelmingly negative. Eventually, Tesla quietly offered a regular steering wheel again. Could the same thing happen here?

If Tesla wants to keep its five-star safety rating in Europe, it might have no choice but to bring back some physical controls.

But don’t expect a full backtrack—Tesla might half-comply, adding haptic buttons or capacitive touch sliders rather than traditional physical dials and switches.

Design at a Crossroads: Function vs. Aesthetics

This is more than a safety issue—it’s a design problem. Tesla’s UI is beautiful in theory but frustrating in practice.

Touchscreens look futuristic, but they often ignore basic ergonomics.

There’s a reason airplane cockpits still use physical switches—they provide tactile feedback and muscle memory, something no touchscreen can replicate. Other manufacturers have already started course-correcting. Hyundai recently announced that it’s bringing back buttons after customer feedback made it clear that touchscreens are annoying for quick adjustments.

If Hyundai is listening, will Tesla? For now, Tesla’s reaction remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the war on buttons isn’t over. And if safety regulators have their way, touchscreens might just lose.