Volkswagen will reintroduce physical buttons for in-car controls, starting with the ID. 2all, the company’s upcoming budget-friendly electric vehicle.
The move marks a shift away from capacitive touch controls, which have drawn criticism for being difficult to use while driving.
Volkswagen’s head of design, Andreas Mindt, acknowledged that the company’s reliance on touch-sensitive controls in recent years was a “mistake” that will “never, ever” be repeated.
The return to physical buttons will apply to five key functions: fan speed, heating for both the driver and front passenger, media volume, and hazard lights. These controls will be integrated into the steering wheel and positioned along the bottom of the vehicle’s main display.
The ID. 2all, expected to launch at around $30,000, will be the first Volkswagen model to feature the revised control layout. Its even more affordable successor, the ID. Every1, is also expected to follow suit.
The shift is seen as a response to consumer feedback, particularly from drivers hesitant to transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to EVs.
Source: EVMagz