Tesla Model S 2021 Refresh's alleged dangerous butterfly steering wheel is now allowed in the United Kingdom despite the warnings of different experts and analysts. Different sources revealed images of a steering wheel with a rectangular design.
Tesla Model S' Alleged Dangerous Butterfly Steering Wheel Allowed in UK? Here's Why Experts Say It's Unsafe
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However, some speculations explained that this version of the steering is only for show and not for the EV's actual production model. According to The Next Web's latest report, what caught the consumers' attention is not Tesla Model S' driving features and capabilities, it is the butterfly steering wheel itself.
Opinions about the new design are divided, with some saying that they love it and others criticizing the new steering wheel design.
Is Tesla Model S' new steering wheel legal?
In the United States, publicly available regulations state that steering wheels should be round and complete before it is allowed to be used in new cars and EVs. However, Road and Track talked with the National Highway Transport Safety Administration and said that they are not sure if the new "yoke" steering wheel is illegal or legal.
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 05: A Tesla model S sits parked outside of a new Tesla showroom and service center in Red Hook, Brooklyn on July 5, 2016 in New York City. The electric car company and its CEO and founder Elon Musk have come under increasing scrutiny following a crash of one of its electric cars while using the controversial autopilot service. Joshua Brown crashed and died in Florida on May 7 in a Tesla car that was operating on autopilot, which means that Brown's hands were not on the steering wheel.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom said that Tesla's new steering wheel design could be allowed, but the country didn't specifically encourage using it.
"The regulations relating to steering equipment (UN-ECE Regulation 79) does not stipulate any shape or size of the steering wheel," said the U.K.'s Department for Transport via The Next Web.
This means that any design for the steering wheel is allowed, which is quite different compared to the regulations in the United States. In the United Kingdom, manufacturers are allowed to use game controllers, joysticks, and anything they can integrate to act as steering wheels for their electric vehicles and regular cars.
Is the butterfly steering wheel really dangerous?
According to NewsTube's previous report, HG.org, a legal source that provides lawyers, said that there are certain issues that drivers will face if they use Tesla's new steering wheel design. Since it is rectangular, the innovation will prevent them from shuffling the steering wheel between their hands when they go into a fully locked position.
Making a full u-turn would also be really difficult since it could be stuck against your knees, especially if you are a tall person. These are just some of the consequences that could happen if it is approved. You can click here if to know more info.
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Written by: Giuliano de Leon.
