Still digging through three layers of touchscreen menus just to change the wipers? In 2026, that could cost your next EV a safety star. Euro NCAP is rewriting the rulebook, and for once, the pain points drivers complain about are squarely in the crosshairs.

The problem

Over the last few years, EVs have sprinted ahead on range, charging, and software - but cabin usability has too often lagged behind. Touchscreen-first layouts bury critical controls. Driver-assistance nudges morph into relentless beeps, pop-ups, and steering wheel shimmies. The result is distraction, annoyance, and, ironically, reduced trust in the very ADAS features designed to help.

The 2026 fix: Euro NCAP targets distraction where it starts

Starting in 2026, Europe’s top safety authority will update its ratings to reflect what actually keeps drivers safe and attentive. The headline changes:

• Intrusive ADAS warnings get penalized - Systems that bombard drivers with excessive or nagging alerts will lose points. The goal is calm, timely, and effective feedback that supports trust, not irritation, as outlined in Euro NCAP’s 2026 protocol updates and reporting by industry outlets here and here.
• Physical buttons for critical controls are rewarded - Cars that retain tactile, one-press access to essentials like wipers, indicators, lights, defog, and hazard lights will score higher in human-machine interface (HMI) evaluations. This reflects growing evidence that tactile controls reduce glance time and cognitive load compared to menu-diving touchscreens, as noted in this overview and Euro NCAP’s protocol resources here.
• Driver monitoring gets real - Euro NCAP will assess continuous driver-state monitoring using cues like eye and head tracking and response timing. Systems that are accurate, proportionate, and minimally intrusive will fare better, per the protocols here and coverage here.
• More realistic crash prevention tests - Expect expanded scenarios that mirror real-world driving, plus broader occupant protection assessments across sizes and ages, and improved post-crash measures. Euro NCAP highlights these aims in its official materials here and technical pages here.
• EV-specific safety sharpened - Updates include stricter requirements around high-voltage battery isolation and post-crash accessibility, such as easier door opening for rescuers, as noted in analysis here and in Euro NCAP resources here.

Euro NCAP calls this its most comprehensive update since the 2009 methodology shift, zeroing in on distraction, driver acceptance, and intuitive assistance - see coverage here and the official materials here.

Why this matters for EVs

EV cabins are software-first by design, but there is a fine line between sleek and fiddly. Removing dedicated buttons may save parts and look minimalist, yet it often increases glance time for routine actions - think defogging a window in the rain. By rewarding physical buttons for core functions, Euro NCAP aligns safety scores with real-world usability. That will push automakers to bring back tactile controls for high-frequency tasks, especially in mainstream EVs where top safety ratings drive buyer trust and fleet procurement.

What changes for buyers and fleets

• Buyers - Expect next-gen EVs to blend clean UI design with smartly placed tactile controls. If you hate ADAS nagging today, relief is coming. Cars that provide calm, context-aware assistance without constant alerts will be the ones to beat in 2026 ratings. See protocol direction here.
• Fleets - Safety ratings heavily influence total cost of risk and driver satisfaction. Procurement checklists should add HMI criteria: which functions are physical, how many steps to reach key settings, and how ADAS warnings scale with context. Industry test providers are already aligning tools to the 2026 changes, as noted by AB Dynamics here.
• Automakers - The human factors bar is rising. Expect investment in HMI usability testing, tactile affordances, and more nuanced driver monitoring. Designs that quietly support drivers - not pester them - will earn points and win customers. Media summaries capture the shift here and here.

Evidence, not vibes

The 2026 protocol set explicitly elevates HMI usability, minimizes intrusive ADAS behavior, and expands driver monitoring in ways that align with well-established human factors research on distraction and tactile feedback. Euro NCAP’s technical signposts are clear in the new protocol pages here, with additional context in press resources here and roundups here.

The bigger EV picture: UX will be the new battleground

As hard-tech progress continues, in-cabin UX will do more of the differentiating.

• Charging keeps getting faster and simpler - The Megawatt Charging System for heavy-duty vehicles is moving from spec to pilot in Europe, indicating how quickly high-power charging is evolving, per CharIN and project updates here and the EU-backed MACBETH project here.
• Battery tech continues its climb - Industry outlooks expect steady gains in energy density and cost declines toward 2030, with chemistry diversification and manufacturing integration playing key roles, as summarized in BNEF’s latest Electric Vehicle Outlook here.

When range anxiety and charging friction recede, the cabin experience comes under the spotlight. Euro NCAP’s 2026 overhaul makes that spotlight a scoring metric.

Bottom line

Euro NCAP is rewarding EVs that feel safe because they are usable. If your cockpit forces you to play whack-a-mole with pop-ups or go on a treasure hunt for the defogger, that is not just annoying - it will soon be a competitive disadvantage. For shoppers, fleets, and automakers, the 2026 message is simple: fewer nags, more buttons, better scores.